The world looked blurry when Emma tumbled out of the airplane and into Boston airport. She couldn't terminate whether it was because of jetlag or the fact that she had been sniffling behind her book for a long time before falling asleep.

She felt completely hazy as she waited for her suitcase, and she was vaguely aware that her phone was vibrating in her pocket. It was probably her mom asking if her plane had landed. Emma made no attempt at finding the phone. She did not have the energy to answer any texts right now. She was too exhausted. She was looking at the world through puffy eyes. She could barely see anything.

It felt a bit like her heart had been split into two pieces. One piece was beating painfully in her chest, while the other piece had been left in Madrid with Regina. Emma wasn't sure how long she would be able to do this. Well, at least she doubted right now. But later, when she was less vulnerable, she would be able to deal with things again. Right now, though, she allowed herself to feel utterly pathetic and miserable.

Getting her luggage took ages, and Emma was practically half-asleep and nearly missed her suitcase when it finally turned up. It was in the very last minute she "woke up" and grabbed her suitcase. At least her "elbows of steel" was still intact when she turned around and made her way out of Boston Airport. Her faithful little yellow bug was still standing parked exactly where she had left it. Emma fumbled to find her car keys and unlocked the car. She slung her suitcase onto the backseat and climbed onto the driver's seat herself. Slammed the car door shut behind her. Rubbed her eyes. Took a moment to regroup and acknowledge that she was back in the us. Emma chuckled dryly to herself. How could she ever forget? Madrid already seemed like a distant dream. A perfect, wonderful dream. Regina was right, it really was harder the second time around. Emma laughed without humor. Hard the first time, harder the second time. God know how hard it would be the third time. She huffed out a breath and rested her forehead on the wheel for a moment. She felt tempted to do two things. One: call Regina. Or two: take a nap right here real quick. She wanted to do both. But she couldn't call Regina. She was probably taking a nap right now. And honestly, she couldn't very well sleep in her car. That much became obvious when Emma accidentally got a little too comfortable and ended up hitting the car horn. The sound scared the shit out of her, and she couldn't help but laugh a little as she imagined Regina's reaction. She would probably have exclaimed '!mierda!' or something like that. Emma missed her so much it hurt. Thinking of how Regina bravely had tried to fight back tears and failed miserably was just so fucking heartbreaking. Emma mostly wanted to go back to the airport and ask for a one way ticket back to Madrid.

But of course there would be none of that now. A slight scratching sound from her phone made Emma lift her head and fumble to find the phone in her pocket. She managed in the second attempt and blinked to focus on the screen. Of course it was her mom asking if her plane had landed yet. Emma texted back that it had, and they would see each other soon. She sighed and squared her shoulders. Now she had to get home to Storybrooke. Back to her parents to tell the reason for her hasty departure to Madrid. She already that her parents would be surprised when hearing about Regina's pregnancy, but not judgmental in anyway. Regina had nothing to fear. Not from her parents. But Regina's own mother... Honestly, Emma was worried about the "game" Regina was currently playing. What would happen if Cora Mills found out about the baby Regina was expecting and planning on giving up for adoption? Emma could imagine that Cora could and would make Regina's life very tough. Emma could fully understand why Regina preferred to keep the pregnancy a secret, but she was also genuinely afraid that the whole thing could blow up in Regina's face if her mother found out. Emma hoped that Regina could manage to keep the pregnancy a secret until her mother was far away in New York. That was what Regina wanted herself. But Emma was also happy that she had been given "permission" to tell her parents about what was going on with Regina. Emma generally didn't lie to her parents, and lying about something this big...

Emma blinked and snapped out of her musings. She had been getting lost in thoughts, and now was not the time for that. She was on her way home. She should be on her way home. She turned her head and looked back at the airport one last time. Reminded herself that the next time she came here, it would be to pick up Regina. The thought of that made her feel better. Ish. Her eyes were still stinging with unshed tears.

But no more dilly-dally. Emma buckled her seatbelt and started the car. Made a U-turn to leave the parking lot, and then she drove away from the airport. Like actually drove away. It hurt, yes, but Emma kept reminding herself of Skype and Facetime as she drove. And tried not to think about the way Regina's chin had wobbled when she waved goodbye to Emma one last time. Thinking about that would only make things worse. Her eyes were already starting to prickle again, and Emma sniffed in, annoyed with herself. This wasn't the end of the world, for fucks sake. Lots of couples had long distance relationships. She never really needed to stop acting like she and Regina were a special case. Emma chuckled wetly to herself. Who was she kidding, of course Regina was a special case. The most special case Emma ever had met. She pursed her lips and cringed at the way her throat tightened uncomfortable. Think about something else. Think about something else. Anything but waking up in Regina's bed with her hair in her face. But Emma failed miserably...

Emma felt so utterly flat when she arrived in Storybrooke four hours later. Flat and hungry. She hadn't eaten much on the plane. She had been too upset to have much of an appetite, but now she was starting to feel it.

She unbuckled the seatbelt and exited the car. Grabbed the suitcase from the backseat and noted how chilled the weather felt. How the gravel crunched underneath her boots. Now she was really home.

Emma tried not to look too disheartened as she opened the door as quietly as possible. Afterwards she wondered why the heck she had made such an effort when...

"Emma!"

Said blonde grinned. "Hi mom, how are you- oh!" she stumbled slightly when her mom pretty much catapulted herself at her and hugged her tightly. Mary Margaret Blanchard-Swan was perhaps a small woman, but she was mighty all the same.

"Your dad and I missed you so much!" her mom gushed as she patted Emma's back thoroughly.

Emma laughed as she hugged her mom right back. "I've only been gone for two weeks, mom."

"And it's been two long weeks," Mary Margaret insisted, finally releasing her grip on her daughter. "I've been worried about what was going on in Madrid. You took off so sudden only a week after coming home from the first visit there."

"I know," Emma said and swallowed something. "Regina's...going through something, and I had to be there to help her."

"Is she alright? She's not sick, is she?" Mary Margaret asked as she grabbed Emma's hand, pulling her with her into the kitchen where a cup of coffee was already waiting for her.

"She's not sick," Emma assured as she let herself be "pushed" down on a kitchen chair.

"Then what happened?" her mom asked. "Something must have happened since you left in such a hurry-"

"Mom," Emma lightly interrupted and snickered. "I just come home. Can I have some coffee first? Please?"

"Of course." Mary Margaret deflated a little. "I'm sorry. I've just been concerned."

"I know," Emma said and smiled as her mom sat down opposite her. "But I'm home now, and everything is okay."

"So you and Regina are still together?" Mary Margaret asked plainly.

"Yes!" Emma said a bit louder than intended. "God, yes. Did you think that-"

Her mom shrugged. "I wasn't completely sure what was going on, and with the way you suddenly left, I couldn't be sure of anything."

"I've been pretty secretive about it all, I know," Emma acknowledged with a slight nod. "I had to be because of Regina. She was pretty scared and confused about everything, but she feels better now. And she told me it's okay for me to tell you and dad what is going on."

"And what IS going on?" Mary Margaret asked, eyebrows raising. "Is it something serious? Are you certain Regina is well?"

"She is," Emma nodded. "But what's going on IS pretty serious..."

"Emma." Her mom scolded. "You're stalling."

"I... I know," Emma said almost sheepishly. "It's just a pretty big deal." She licked her lips and took a deep gulp of the warm coffee. And then, coffee swallowed and as nervous as though she was the one who was in the situation, she said: "she's pregnant."

Mary Margaret's green eyes widened so much the effect could have been comically. "She...She is?!"

"Yeah," Emma nodded and rushed to explain: "it happened before she and I even knew each other!"

"Well, obviously," Mary Margaret scoffed and gave Emma a look that suggested she was dense. "What a shock that must have been for her! How was she? Is she okay?"

"She was definitely upset when I first got there," Emma said, taking another sip of her coffee. "And I think that she still is to some extent, but she was feeling better when I left. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you the reason, but-"

"You respected Regina," her mom interrupted and waved off Emma's apology. "Of course I understand that."

"Of course you do," Emma smiled.

"Does she have her family's support?" Mary Margaret asked seriously.

"Her parents doesn't know," Emma replied and curled her fingers around the mug. "She's too scared to tell them. And I get why she's scared to tell her mother. I've met her. She's pretty scary. Not very nice to Regina. But her dad... well, he's sweet as can be, and he clearly adores Regina, but she's too scared that her mom somehow will find out if she tells her father."

Mary Margaret's upper lip curled in that particular way it always did when she was confronted with any type of injustice. "What a situation to be in! She's so young..."

"Yeah," Emma sipped her coffee again. "She wants to the baby up for adoption."

"Oh." Mary Margaret's voice was soft now. "Well, I think that's a very brave and mature choice to make." She took a sip of her own coffee. "And the... father of the child?"

"Not in the picture and not worth mentioning," Emma growled. "He's a miserable bastard who tricked Regina into bed with him! He told her that he was single!"

"But he wasn't?" Mary Margaret guessed, eyes narrowing and lip curling again.

"Nope. Married. And I don't know whether he told his wife, or she found out, but she's been following Regina and harassing her! One time, I saw her punch Regina in the face."

"She did WHAT?!"

"I didn't know what was going on at the time, and I didn't know Regina that well, so I couldn't do much about it," Emma said bitterly. "But if she ever comes anywhere near Regina again, I swear to god, I'm gonna fucking murder-"

"Emma, your language," her mother lightly scolded. "I understand you're worried about Regina. You've told her that she's welcome here whenever she wants to come, haven't you?"

"I have," Emma nodded. "Hell, I even offered to pay for her plane ticket, but Regina's proud. She wants to handle everything on her own."

"She's a very brave young lady."

Emma smiled a little and reminded herself to tell Regina that. "But I did come with her to her first ultrasound. That was pretty special. Not much to see on the screen, just a tiny blob, but there was a heartbeat! I had no idea a baby's heartbeat was so fast!" she took another sip of her coffee before she became too overly enthusiastic.

"How is she feeling?" Mary Margaret asked. "Is she very nauseous?"

"Yep," Emma said plainly and grimaced. "Most mornings she was chased out of bed because of it."

"Poor thing," Mary Margaret said sympathetically, but her eyes remained watchful as ever. "And how are you feeling?"

"Me?" Emma blinked.

"Yes," her mom said lightly. "The girl you're fond of is pregnant. That's not the easiest thing, honey."

"Maybe not," Emma acknowledged. "But I wanna be there in every way I can."

"And when the baby comes and its time for Regina to part with the child? Emma, even though this is what Regina wants and thinks its best for the baby, even though the baby's parents are wonderful people, it's not going to be easy," Mary Margaret said gently and patted Emma's hand. "There will be emotional repercussions afterwards. Regina's state of mind will be..."

"Yeah, I know," Emma said quietly.

"I guess what I'm asking is if you can handle that?" her mother asked slowly as though trying to show Emma that she was on "her side".

"Of course I can handle it," Emma said immediately.

"I know you wanted to have kids with Neal when you were still engaged-"

"But now we're not engaged anymore," Emma interrupted and smiled at her mom to show that she wasn't angry. "And I'm glad I never had kids with him. He doesn't deserve to be a father."

"Do you still want to have kids, sweetheart?" Mary Margaret asked simply.

"Yeah, someday," Emma nodded. "Regina wants to have kids too. One day. But not because some bastard lied and tricked her into bed."

"Men," Emma's mother scoffed. "I'm starting to think that the only decent exemplar left in this world is your father."

"And Regina's," Emma chuckled. "Henry. He was really nice. And I think he adored me."

"Well, why wouldn't he?" Mary Margaret shrugged. "You're very easy to adore."

"You're biased," Emma laughed and took another sip of her coffee. "But I am happy he and I hit it off so well."

"Yes, it's always nice to have a good relationship with your in-laws," her mother teased.

Emma wrinkled her nose slightly. "Yeah, talking about in-laws... Have you heard anything from the Gold's?"

"No. Not since Neal..." Mary Margaret's voice dwindled.

"Made a complete ass of himself at Granny's, yeah, I've heard. Ruby told me," Emma said plainly. "If he does something like that again, I'm filing for a restraining order against him."

"A restraining order? Against your own father? Emma, how could you?" David joked as he came into the kitchen. "And welcome home, honey."

"Thanks. And very funny, but we're not talking about you, we're talking about Neal," Emma informed her father.

"Oh." David's mouth immediately twisted. "Well, I'd be happy to provide you with a restraining order for him. Or several."

"Let's try with one," Emma yawned as she drained her cup of coffee. "Thanks for the coffee, but I think I'm gonna go to bed and crash for a few hours. I'm absolutely knackered." She forced herself to stand up and glanced around to find her suitcase. Oh right. She left it in the hallway. Great. She tried not to curse as she made a detour to the hallway to grab the damn thing.

"How did everything go with Regina? Do we get to meet her soon?" David asked while Emma hauled her suitcase up.

"I hope so," Emma said and silently wondered how the fuck she was supposed to drag the suitcase all the way upstairs right now. Maybe she should just leave it here for now.

Nah. If she did, her mom would most certainly bring it upstairs and offer to put Emma's clothes away, and that was most definitely not required. Emma started dragging the suitcase towards the stairs.

"And, how is she?" David continued.

"She's alright, but under pressure right now." that was to put it lightly.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"She's pregnant," Emma told her father.

"My god."

"It happened before she had even met me!" Emma said defensively.

David held up his hands. "I wasn't questioning that."

"Sorry," Emma said sheepishly. "I'm just really pissed at the guy. He's a douche who tricked her, and now she has to handle this all on her own!"

David smiled that encouraging "dad"-smile Emma always appreciated so much. "Well, from where I'm standing, it doesn't look like she's all on her own. She's got the best support she could ever ask for."

Emma smiled. "Thanks dad. I just wish I could be with her all the time, you know? Her parents...well, she can't really talk to them about it because her mom's really twisted, and friends... To be honest, I don't think she has too many of those. Except for Alejandro and Diego that plays guitar when she performs." She sighed slightly and scratched the back of her neck. "I just really want to be there with her all the time."

"Emma, you're not considering to move to Spain, are you?" her mother asked concerned.

Emma chuckled slightly. "I don't think so. I have you guys here. And my friends. Madrid's so far away. Meaning that so is Regina, but I don't see any other option than long distance right now."

"Thank god for Skype," David said and smiled at his daughter.

"Yeah. Thank god for Skype," Emma parroted, because she knew that her dear old dad was just trying to help her.

"She'll come and visit you," Mary Margaret soothed. "When she's allowed to fly."

"Which I've read shouldn't be until she's past the twelve week mark," Emma said and tried not to sound too upset. "God, I'll have missed out on so much by then!"

"I'm sure she'll give you regular updates," her mom said gently. "I know that's not the same, but-"

"It'll have to do. And it will. We'll make it work," Emma said firmly. That was the promise she and Regina had made to one another, and she was determined to keep it. "Anyway, I think I'll get some shuteye. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, honey," her parents said in unison.

Emma went upstairs and crashed. Well no, first she sent Regina quick text to let her know that she was back in Maine, safe and sound. Then she chugged the phone to the side. She didn't expect to get an answer tonight seeing that it was late in Madrid. Emma hoped that Regina was asleep. Curled up in bed in that adorable way she was always sleeping during the morning. Emma smiled a little but then squirmed when her chest tightened. She missed Regina so much she was physically aching.

Emma followed Regina's example and curled up in bed. Under the covers and snug. Could have been incredibly comfortable if it hadn't been for the way her bed was so empty. There was a distinct lack of that warm body Emma had had the pleasure of waking up to for the past two weeks. No smell of apples and vanilla.

Emma's eyes stung and she squeezed them shut. She didn't want to cry again. She had done plenty of that already. She didn't want to worry her parents and knew that her mom undoubtedly would come running if she heard her cry. And right now, Emma didn't need sympathy. She needed to be allowed to be upset after having left Regina in Madrid.

Emma chuckled dryly. I left my heart in Madrid. Well, it certainly felt like it.

"I should have told her I loved her," Emma said aloud and cursed herself a little. She'd said, "in love", but not actually the three little words. Which she obviously should have. Regina had been insecure about pretty much everything, and it would have been nice to let her know where they stood. Emma rolled onto her stomach. She should have told her in the airport. That could have been so romantic. It would have made Regina smile. Or maybe it would have made her bawl. That was a possibility too. But seriously. Emma really wished that she had told Regina she loved her. It was gonna be a while before they saw each other again, and this was definitely not something you could say over the phone. Or over a Skype connection. No, Emma wanted them to be face to face when she told Regina.

Emma pulled the covers over her head. She was exhausted, but the thoughts about Regina filled her mind. Had she remembered to get enough rest? Had she been very nauseous throughout the day? Argh, it was absolutely killing Emma that she couldn't be there with her! Regina would be nine weeks pregnant next week. What happened during the ninth week of a pregnancy? Something important? Well, except that it would be cherry sized. Cherry. Blueberry sounded better, and Emma quite liked that "Blueberry" had become their official word for it. It sounded pretty cute.

But seriously, what happened in the ninth week of a pregnancy? Emma couldn't remember right now. But she would definitely google it tomorrow. She had promised herself to stay updated so she could be a part of everything. Every little thing Regina had to tell or was concerned about.

And right now she really needed to get some sleep...

When Emma woke up the following morning, the first thing she did was checking her phone to see what time it was. Nine o'clock. She could call Regina. And that was exactly what she did. She didn't get out of bed. She just dialed Regina's number and waited. Wedged the phone between her shoulder and ear so she could push her hair away from her face. There were rustling in the other end, and then...

"Hola!"

"Hey, you," Emma said and grinned automatically when hearing Regina's voice. But it didn't take long before she picked up on something in Regina's voice. "You sound out of breath. Everything okay?"

"Sí, I'm fine," Regina said in the other end. "I was just- never mind. I'm good. Everything's good."

"Have you been sick?" Emma asked softly.

Regina groaned. "Yes, but I didn't want to tell you because it's disgusting. It's bad enough that you've heard me puke for two weeks. You don't have to hear me ramble about it over the phone as well."

Emma chuckled softly. "I don't mind. You know that. Bad lunch?"

"Not this time. I was actually rehearsing. I guess I became dizzy or something."

"Rehearsing?" Emma echoed. "Are you dancing tonight?"

Regina was quiet for a moment.

"Regina?" Emma encouraged.

"Yes, I'm dancing tonight," Regina said and almost sounded a bit defiantly. "I have to. My shift at the bar was suddenly cancelled."

"Oh," Emma said. She supposed that made sense, but still... Regina was supposed to relax and take it easy.

"It'll be fine," Regina said and sounded like she was trying to convince both of them.

"Alright," Emma said and bit her tongue not to say something stupid like 'I don't like it' or 'I wish you'd just let me pay for that plane ticket so you could come over here and stay for the rest of your pregnancy'. No, she definitely couldn't say that.

"But if I get nauseous every time, I attempt to rehearse..." Regina sighed. "That makes things a bit challenging. Good thing I'm putting dancing on pause pretty soon."

"Mmm," Emma said and shifted a bit, so she was lying on her stomach. "I told my parents about it last night."

"About... the pregnancy?" Regina asked hesitantly.

"Yes. You've got nothing to worry about. At all. Like I told you. Well, my mom looked like she wanted to murder Robin, but-"

"Need I remind you that it takes two to tango?" Regina said dully.

"Robin tricked you," Emma reminded her.

"I was drunk and easily convinced."

"Stop it!" Emma barked. "No you weren't. You asked if he was single, and he said yes even though he wasn't. He's the bad guy here. Not you."

"No, I'm just the pregnant one," Regina dryly quipped. "But I take it that I'm welcome in your parents house?"

"I hope you're joking," Emma snorted. "Of course you are. They can't wait to meet you."

"So they don't think I'm a bad girl who got herself in trouble?" Regina said, half-laughing to take the edge of her question.

"That's not even remotely funny. No one thinks you're a bad girl. At all," Emma said firmly. "Is that clear, or do I have to come to Madrid to smack some sense into you?"

Regina laughed genuinely now. "That could be fun."

"Maybe next time," Emma chuckled, partially seriously.

"Now you're the bad girl," Regina teased.

"Oh yeah, totally," Emma assured with a smirk. "Tell me... did that rehearsal make you all sweaty?"

"It might have," Regina laughed. "Maybe I'll have to take a shower."

Emma groaned. "Damn, I'm missing out on important stuff!"

"I can send you a selfie," Regina said sweetly. "Should I?"

"Uhm, yeah, absolutely!"

She laughed again. "I'll see what I can do, querida. What are you gonna do today?"

"Absolutely nothing," Emma chuckled. "I am so beat from all that travelling!"

"I would be too," Regina said and sounded a bit guilty now.

And Emma was having none of it. "Stop it. I wanted to come. You didn't ask me."

"But you didn't have too either," Regina insisted. "I could probably have worked out being pregnant alone."

"I'm sure you could. Doesn't mean you should, though."

Another soft chuckle. "I think I'm getting paranoid," Regina announced.

"What makes you say that?" Emma inquired.

"It feels like my clothes are getting tighter and tighter day by day," Regina huffed. "But that can't be, can it?"

"Are you wearing something comfortable?" Emma asked.

"You could say that. I'm wearing your tanktop."

"My tanktop?" Emma frowned. "Which one?"

"The grey one that's a bit oversized. You sort of forgot it here."

"I did? That's weird. I could have sworn I stuffed it into the suitcase."

"Okay, I stole it," Regina admitted. "You're dating a criminal. Happy now?"

"You stole my tanktop?" Emma gushed. "That is the most adorable thing I've ever heard!"

"I couldn't help it," Regina said unapologetically. "I was afraid of getting lonely."

"Did you by any chance sleep in it last night?"

"Sí," Regina laughed. "Of course I did."

"Yeah, I'm gonna need a selfie of that," Emma decided. "Wear it tonight. Please?"

"Of course," Regina chuckled. "I miss you."

"I miss you too. Skype before you go to work?"

"Absolutely!" Regina said and Emma could hear the smile in her voice. "I'd love too!"

"Great. It's a date then," Emma said goofily.

"Sí, señorita Swan. It's a date."

Emma smiled softly. Maybe a skype date wasn't the same as a real date. Not the same as waking up with her, or kissing her good morning (god, Emma missed kissing her!) or messing around in the kitchen whilst making breakfast, but it was something. Something that she was looking very much forward to. Anytime spend with Regina, was time well spent. Whether it was on Skype or face to face. Emma would have preferred the second option, but seeing that that wasn't possible right now, she was more than willing to "settle" for this. Be grateful for what she had and all that.

"So, when did you even steal my shirt?" Emma inquired. "I didn't notice at all."

"That's because I did it after we'd showered. You were a bit...dazed."

"Well, you had just been naked in front of me. Of course I was dazed," Emma said plainly.

Regina laughed heartedly and called her silly in that sweet manner Emma so appreciated. And on this particular morning, it made her heart swell with affection. And longing.

"Maybe I should just fly back to Madrid today," Emma said dreamily.

"Or maybe you shouldn't," Regina teased.

"I could do it, though. I could fly back."

"Estas hablando tonterias," Regina said.

Emma frowned. "What was that?"

"Nothing..."

"Was that something rude?"

"No, of course not."

"Oh, but I think it was," Emma said and tried to sound threathingly. "And I'm gonna get you for it the next time I see you!"

Regina laughed heartedly once more. "I can't wait, querida. I can't wait."

"No, me neither..."

To Be Continued...