Chapter Fourteen
"Have you actually spotted the pirate anywhere?" Regina asked Emma. They were having lunch at the town hall. Magnus, at two months was sleeping in his rock and play next to the desk. Maleficent had found quickly that she wasn't the type to spend her every waking moment feeding and changing diapers. They had suggested she get a job and she found that her potion making skills helped her adjust medication doses at the hospital, and now she worked there and was training to become a doctor. It wasn't conventional, but through the curse, she could learn a lot as well as experience. So, Regina began taking Magnus to work or working from home. If it was a slow day, he could sense it and would pop over to Emma. The first time Regina had freaked out popping all over town to find him until Emma called to let her know he was at the station for his next feeding and presumably staying. Maleficent didn't have slow days, and so after being thoroughly scolded by all his mothers. He knew he could only pop to her on a break or when she was just off work. The one where she was off work was not great when she got off after his bedtime as she liked having various shifts. Today was one of those days where Magnus popped over to Emma and she had brought him back for his nap and of course lunch with her girlfriend.
"No, that's the weird thing, Ursula couldn't find his ship either, she said it wasn't in our harbor anymore at least for now. She found it weird, because he was really harping on about hating Gold for some reason. Archie, who I can't believe was not actually dead, seems weird your mother spared him since she's so ruthless, is pretty sure he opened a portal, but he was delirious."
"You think Gold already killed him?" Regina asked. "I wouldn't put it pass him to quietly dispose of an enemy who was persistent at trying to kill him."
"No, I asked him about it, and I asked Belle about it separately. She says no one's come into the shop in the time period we knew that Cora indicated she was in town. She doesn't know anything about where he might be just only biding his time for sure. Cora requests again to see you."
"Hmm…I'm sure she does," Regina said. She had decided on punishing her mother by ignoring her. Every time she saw the nurse she only asked for Regina. "A pirate so determined wouldn't just give up, he must have some plan, we should probably set watchmen on the harbor in case he comes back."
"Already done, unfortunately had to utilize the dwarves, and I'm willing to bet they miss it or something I don't know," Emma sighed. Regina nodded as she grimaced.
"They're unfortunately all we got, but their willingness to protect Snow makes them somewhat useful."
"What kind of fish is this?" Emma asked eating more for once, well Regina was surprised to see her eating it all. She tried not to serve Emma fish, but she did try to get her to try in the hopes that there was one she might enjoy. She had grilled cheese as a backup though.
"Tilapia do you like it?" Regina asked. Emma nodded.
"I think so, I think I like this one," She smiled. Regina smiled back. "Still like the couscous more though, but it's not like salmon or the um…ter…ter..."
"Turbot?" Regina interjected. Emma nodded. "That wasn't my favorite either, I was just trying something out on you until I found your preference. I'm glad Tilapia is on the list though." Emma gave her another smile and finished her food before eyeing the grilled cheese container. Regina laughed and handed it over. Emma offered her a bite which she took despite herself. Regina looked at her watch.
"Are you coming with us to Magnus's vaccine appointment?" Regina asked.
"No, I'm terrified of needles and honestly I'll end up crying worse than my little Dragon Prince if I have to watch him get them."
"Don't let Henry hear you say that before you've called him your little prince, I know it's very specific to me, and Maleficent only added on Prince because of me. But he'll be upset if you don't like say it once."
"Aww but that will sound weird, I mean don't get me wrong I feel it when you say it, but it seems wrong to say it, he never asks me if he'll still be my little prince when he's older than me."
"He'll never be older than you," Regina snorted. Emma glared at her.
"You know what I meant, Mayor Mills," Emma retorted.
"So, what if I did Sheriff Swan, what are you going to do about it?" Regina asked. It didn't take much at all to have Emma pin her down on the couch they were on. They were very quiet as Magnus for once slept through their time together. Although by the time they were on their way to the hospital, Emma deciding she didn't want to be away from her little family. He was awake and wanting attention from Emma. He only left Emma to greet Maleficent and be held by her while they waited and talked about the day.
"I love him, but I'm so glad you like to do the day to day stuff, I like being a working mom," Maleficent said. Regina shrugged.
"It's literally what I do, it's good, you're like Emma, you two wanna and need to be at work. I'd be fine either way. But I like that I can balance it."
"It's more that the town needs you to work," Emma laughed. "It would fall apart; I mean can you imagine Snow running for Mayor."
"Oh, that would be disaster 101," Maleficent chuckled. Regina chuckled as well.
"Mills," The nurse called. They stood up and went in, when it came to Magnus, they were all three a common sight. Regina was sure the entirety of the town thought they were a throuple, but Emma just wasn't interested in Maleficent sexually. They cared for one another's children, and they both cared for her and they both cared for each other. But sex wasn't on the table between either of them with Maleficent even if she wouldn't give it a second thought if Emma mostly changed her mind. If they were a throuple it was highly unconventional.
"How many vaccines does my baby need?" Maleficent asked horrified seeing all the needles.
"There will be five shots, but eight vaccines in all given, so his second dose of Hepatitis B, first dose of rotavirus, first dose of Dtap, first does of Haemophilus influenzae type b, first dose of Pneumococcal conjugate, and the first dose of Inactivated Poliovirus."
"I counted less than eight vaccines in that," Emma said.
"Dtap is Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis," Regina told her. "Trust me, mother and the pirate have exposed the town naturally to these things from the Enchanted Forest, they usually have different names, and there are potion remedies that were previously not given out without a price. Kids died from this frequently."
"Yeah no, my Magnus is not dying because he's part human, no offense dear," Maleficent told her. They got his clothes off did his usual weigh in, he was gaining more than enough weight and they saw that he would likely be tall like Maleficent.
"It's probably for the best, he doesn't need my actual height," Regina commented.
"Ah the world must be so tall for you down there," Emma laughed. "Did I mention that I enjoy you're barely taller than a dwarf and yet somehow you manage to make short jokes?"
"I am much taller than the dwarfs," Regina grumped. Magnus started to fuss as Maleficent lay him on the exam table. "Shs, my little Dragon Prince, we'll make this quick and get you swaddled again." He smiled at her and she smiled back. After each shot, he was wailing, Emma was cringing and crying. The nurse to her credit was fast and efficient.
"Oh, I know, Ma knows," Emma cried as she held him. "I swear I would never let them do this if you didn't need it. I'll protect you the rest of the day from anymore hurts." Once he had his stickers on so they could keep an eye on all the vaccine sights in case of a reaction. They redressed him and Emma took him to the station with her. He seemed content with this idea and gave no protests. Maleficent went back to work. Regina picked up Henry from school and took the rest of her work home since she didn't have any meetings.
"Where's Magnus?" Henry asked getting into the Benes, his mother was saying that the next time they ventured out of town they would trade it in for something bigger, but for now, it worked within Storybrooke, it wouldn't though if their adoption was approved.
"With your mother, he had vaccines today and she went and freaked out too, and decided he was safer with her." Henry chuckled.
"Is she going to be like that when I go to my appointment tomorrow?" Henry asked.
"Definitely, she hates needles," Regina said. "It's never easy to watch."
"I hate needles too," Henry said. "Wait does she know she has vaccines tomorrow."
"Henry what do you take me for a novice?" Regina asked. "You think you're bad, I just know that she's worse. I mean at least I can tell you."
"I'm only doing this for Magnus," Henry told her. "If I didn't love him, you wouldn't see me. But I wished for him, so I need to take care of him."
"I appreciate that my little prince, and did you manage to discreetly deliver all the invitations for Emma's birthday?" Henry nodded.
"You were right waiting last minute to give Grandma her invitation at school. Now she only has to hold out for a few hours and not days." Regina nodded. "Also, she was upset to have not been part of the planning again, she added, she said next year she is in charge of Emma's birthday." Regina snorted as she pulled into her parking spot. The bug was still there just sitting there. Emma had taken to driving the police cruiser to and from work, and if she really needed the car for other stuff, she took Regina's car claiming it was more comfortable.
"She can think what she wants, but I won't budge," Regina replied. She frowned though as she saw Neal waiting on her doorstep. They could hear Hank barking at the door angrily. Regina was surprised there hadn't been a disturbance call yet. "Stay in the car." Henry nodded scared of what his father would do now. Regina got out of the car.
"Get off my property, we have a restraining order out against you," Regina said.
"I just came to let you know that Dad's set me up with a perfect home for my son, and that the court date has been set. He's coming home with me and as soon as I have him. You will never be able to influence him again. Have his things and the dog packed." He stalked off leaving Regina fuming.
"Don't come back here again if you value your life," Regina told him. He flipped her off. Once he was gone. Henry got out and grabbed her work briefcase. She unlocked her mailbox; they had recently put a lock on it to make sure he couldn't at least steal it from the mailbox without obvious tampering. She found three yellow envelopes inside as well as their things. They went in and Hank immediately sniffed and licked at them with worry. They gave him a few pets of reassurance and greeting.
"What did he say?" Henry asked as Regina put her shoes away, jacket, and purse.
"That there is a court date." Henry frowned as they went to the kitchen and Henry immediately refilled Hank's water, he had a doggy door and was free to go in and out as he pleased. Regina opened the envelope from the courts, it just stated that there was a court date set to determine what was in Henry's best interest. The one from their lawyer was a little more detailed confirming that paternity was established, that Neal had passed his own home inspection, maternity was also established, and Emma was investigated as Neal had portrayed her as a regretful mother with questionable intentions.
"Is that good?" Henry asked. Regina nodded.
"We can put an end to this, your mother had every right to give you up for adoption, Neal was not on your birth certificate at the time and could not be located. I just don't want you forced into having visitation with that man, even if he doesn't get you legally, we've already seen what he's willing to do." Henry nodded. She kissed his forehead.
"Don't you worry, I will find a way to deal with him without also incurring the wrath of the dark one on our family." Henry nodded. Regina sorted out her coupons and put them away. There was something for Emma that she put to the side. She opened the last envelope though and that put a genuine smile on her face.
"What?" Henry asked exiting the pantry with pop tarts, normally she'd scold him, but given the Neal news she let it go.
"We've been approved," Regina told him. Henry cheered.
"Oh, I can't wait to tell Ma, can we call her now?" Henry asked.
"No, no we should wrap this and put it in her presents." Henry grasped and nodded. They wrapped it and started already cleaning up and preparing for the party. Regina bought mini campfires and lit them over the backyard for warmth. She put the hammocks away finally and put up the string lights. She catered from Granny's because Emma had been extremely healthy with having to breast feed Magnus too and she deserved her onion rings. Once the tables were out and her guard had set up the stage because Emma really enjoyed Karaoke now, she managed to finish her work for the day and help Henry with his homework. Maleficent came home and hurried to get changed as their backyard filled up with her guard, Ruby, Belle minus her husband and stepchild thankfully, Kathryn and Frederick, Ashley and Shawn. Their daughter Alex was happily set up in the play area for the children. Regina had surrounded it like a little makeshift day care where babies could sleep from her guard as well as Magnus and of course Alex without getting into trouble or getting cold. The dwarves unfortunately but they always came to these functions, she had to put a spell on the alcohol to keep Leroy from getting drunk too early especially because there were children around. Ursula arrived as well as Ariel and Eric, there was some glaring, but they didn't fight. When Emma was due home, they hid but it just turned out to be Snow turning up late with David.
"Uh what's going on?" Emma asked.
"Damn it Snow," Regina cried. Snow blushed. Emma was holding an awake Magnus and had entered just behind Snow and David apparently and missed the big surprise.
"Uh…Surprise!" Henry exclaimed.
"Surprise!" Everyone cried. Emma still looked surprised as Maleficent at least managed to light the Happy Birthday sign in fire.
"You guys did all this for me?" Emma asked happy to see all of her family together, this birthday had to be even better than the last one. They nodded and hugged her as others called out Happy birthday and she practically squealed when she saw the mountains of onion rings Regina had ordered.
"Oh, I love you!" Emma cried.
"Hey, I made all of those, don't I get any love?" Ruby asked.
"I love you too Ruby!" Emma cried. While Maleficent took care of Magnus and carried him around, Emma dug into her piles of onion rings and greeted everyone. She really enjoyed her Karaoke time. Though she noted they weren't treated to the live band. It was apparently special to their Saturday night get togethers. Most people gave her small gifts at the party and that was fine, but she was looking forward to what her family had come up with after breakfast in bed that morning. The party went most of the night until most of the kids were passed out in their sections. Henry was a little trooper though she noted, insisting that he stay up for presents despite wanting to pass out from cake.
"All right, quick present opening and then off to bed for both of my princes." Magnus hadn't wanted to sleep either during the party. He was far too interested in what was going on.
"Guys you don't have to give me anything, really, this party and breakfast was enough," Emma told them.
"No, no we chose your presents carefully," Maleficent told her. Regina nodded. First up was matching family rollerblades and hockey sticks.
"So, one you don't have to play in your shoes, and two we thought it might be more fun as a family activity," Maleficent told her. Emma smiled at them. She had tried to get Henry interested, but it wasn't as fun until Regina joined them and made them both a little competitive. Plus, the sticks had been annoying short for everyone including Henry. Emma opened her next one.
"Season Red sox tickets?" Emma asked happily.
"Yeah, we thought you'd like to take your sons to see a game or two next year," Regina said. "Maybe your brother too, if Snow can handle it." Snow had come over crying the other day that they were having a little boy, not being able to wait for the gender reveal party that she had annoyed Regina into planning, and she had held the secret of the gender for a month and a half only to be ruined by the person she was supposed to be keeping it from, but Whale had been initial culprit because he was a careless prick.
"Oh my God yes!" Emma cried bouncing up and down happily.
"And one last one, but it's kind of for everyone too," Regina said, she had put it in a small box, so Emma wouldn't immediately guess what it was. Maleficent looked at her curiously, but then watched Emma eagerly tare into it as Henry was looking overly excited. The joy that lit up Emma's face was everything.
"We're going to be parents again!" Emma exclaimed holding up the approval letter for Maleficent to see. They all cheered and celebrated, the only one who looked unamused was Magnus, but that was also his general face unless you gave him something to smile about.
"All right now that the excitement is over, I think it's bedtime before Henry passes out." They laughed as he groaned but didn't stop Regina was steering him upstairs after hugging Maleficent and Emma goodnight. She helped him get changed seeing he was half asleep and only got his leg halfway into his pants. Chuckling at how drunk he looked asleep, she got him in his pants and left him shirtless before tucking him into bed and kissing him goodnight. Magnus only went down after he nursed from her. He always took his biggest feeding of the night from her no matter what. He tended to take his biggest meal of the day on Emma though if possible. Maleficent didn't love breast feeding and so was grateful he either took a bottle off her of expressed milk or did short feedings.
"Have I ever mentioned how glad I am that my body decided to have another baby with another woman, oh dear God the absolute horror if I had to breast feed by myself twenty-four seven," Maleficent groaned. Regina chuckled as she burped Magnus.
"I'm quite happy he made me breast feed him," Regina shrugged.
"I know and he was a smart baby, or he'd be on formula already," Maleficent commented. Regina laughed and she knew that to be true, after Magnus had nursed from them all the colostrum he could. Maleficent got a clogged duct and was so over breast feeding. Regina had been lucky but had started taking Lecithin pills to keep from getting clogged ducts and Emma had, had mastitis once after Henry because she had been too sad to properly get rid of her milk. She was not at all eager to repeat the experience she decided and took the pills religiously. Once Magnus was burped and kissed, Maleficent took him from Regina and got settled in their sleeping spot mostly. He didn't sleep with Regina, if they were in the bedroom, he took Emma, if he stayed in his room, he and Maleficent were worse than little heaters. Regina was sure it was because she was an ice block. She left them and headed back to her bedroom.
"Hey where's Mal and Magnus?" Emma asked when she came out of the bathroom from her shower.
"Sleeping in his room," Regina said sitting in some lingerie that could only be classified as Emma's last birthday present. Emma's mouth went dry as she watched Regina sitting crossed leg, panty less in see through baby doll.
"Holy shit, is this for my birthday."
"You didn't think lunch was your birthday fuck, did you?" Regina asked her as she stood up and stalked towards Emma.
"I wasn't really expecting one, but I quite enjoyed lunch time, but something tells me I'll enjoy this just as much," Emma gulped. Regina held up her hands and there was strap on, on it.
"It's come to my attention that you haven't actually used this on me yet, or should I use it on you?" Emma groaned as she bit her lip.
"God, I am so torn right now, this isn't right," She whined as her exhaustion was catching up to her, she had worked a full day and then the party had gone late.
"Well it doesn't have to be one or the other, it's just a matter of who goes first," Regina pointed out. Emma looked ready to cry.
"God I wanna fuck you, but I gotta be honest, I'm gonna make you come and then roll over and go to sleep, but if I use the strap on I really need to take my time with you and I'm just too tired too." Regina made it disappear.
"That's fine, I'll just take care of my baby then, it is your birthday, there are other days for that kind of play." Emma was about to say something when she was pushed back onto the bed and her towel snapped off. "Or do you not want it at all?" Regina paused in doing anything else.
"Oh yes, sorry, my consent is yes, yes, and more yes," Emma said. Regina grinned and proceeded to ravish Emma until she had fallen asleep. Regina happily tucked her in before cuddling up behind her with her arms around Emma.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Maleficent asked. They nodded.
"Yes, enjoy your day with Magnus, it's all you've been talking about and it's not your fault that the day got pushed because I'm sure he was too drunk to show up to court looking like a model father. Besides if the pirate shows up the town will need someone with fire power around," Emma told her. Maleficent nodded.
"I hope this is solved soon, I need to prepare for thanksgiving, and I hope once this is handled, we can see about our new addition before the holidays start," Regina complained.
"Me too," Emma said. "I'm sorry I brought this on us, if there had been any other way to get Ashley's baby, I would have taken it, if it meant never finding Neal, the little shit."
"No, we should have just left immediately," Regina said. "if he hadn't seen Henry he would have walked away from Gold and never known." Emma nodded. "Henry let's go!" Henry came sulking downstairs even though he looked adorable in his suit.
"Come on worst ways to spend a Monday, if we're done early, we'll do something fun," Emma told him after giving him a little bump. He gave her a small smile.
"Yes, and we'll stay overnight, you'll get to help us pick out the new car," Regina pointed out.
"Wait what, I suppose Magnus and I could spend the day in Portland," Maleficent said. Regina chuckled.
"There's milk in the freezer, you don't have to nurse him all the time, he'll take the bottle from you," Regina reminded her. Maleficent looked relieved.
"Okay good, it's just my milk supply is not enough to keep him happy all day on me alone."
"He'll be fine won't you my darling," Regina told Magnus as she kissed him. He gave her a big smile and Emma gave him kisses too. Maleficent got hugs before they all departed for the family court in Portland. No Surprise, Neal was driving behind them most of the way. Regina was worried he'd drive recklessly to scare her and Emma, and forget he was scaring Henry too. He fortunately was well behaved. They arrived just before eight in the morning and went inside. Henry started biting his nails again. They had to wait around while other families had their own court dates as well.
"You're really trying to sell this gay thing, aren't you?" Neal asked Regina indicating Emma's suit.
"I'm sorry what does my suit have to do with your asinine comment to my girlfriend?" Emma asked him.
"You're obviously enchanted Emma, and she's got you in a suit, you love dresses," He said.
"I like them, but I don't love them, and I picked out my own clothes this morning like a big girl, Regina's not my mother or my keeper," Emma snapped. Neal was about say more when their case called.
"Cassidy versus Mills," the person called. They all stood up and went into court. Regina and Emma sat with Henry while their lawyer argued with Neal who hadn't seen fit to hire a lawyer much to Gold's clear annoyance.
"Your honor we have police reports detailing Mr. Cassidy's rash behavior by attempting to kidnap Ms. Mills son and injuring her. Breaking and entering more than once into her home, showing up unannounced and frightening Henry. The mysterious death of five street cats that their son was friendly with and often fed in their backyard and had named, all attributed to him."
"Your honor, Ms. Mills is an eighteen-year-old child who doesn't know better, she lets my ex-girlfriend convince her she's gay, but all the while she's taking advantage of her to illegally be near my son. Which I remind you she didn't tell me about," Neal complained.
"My client is twenty-eight, here is her birth certificate, I'm also giving to the courts, records from a psychologist appointed outside of the town. He has established that Ms. Swan and Ms. Mills are in a genuine relationship. He also spoke to Henry's normal psychologist, who with their permission was able to speak about how they had come to agree that Emma could stay within Henry's life. Going so far as to have couples counseling together about co-parenting and working out Ms. Swan's visitation rights. Legally my client Ms. Mills could allow this."
"She's lying," Neal said. "They're just pretending and if I don't get my son away from them, they'll turn him into a gay. They already had cats and now I heard rumors they were letting him date a boy."
"Mr. Cassidy can you provide any proof whatsoever that Henry is not in a good home?" The judge asked him.
"I have told you this is all an elaborate lie," He said.
"Yeah, can you prove it?" the judge asked. "It's nice you have a home etc... to take Henry too, but so far you haven't denied anything about the kidnapping or threats towards his mothers. The home study was done at random, so they couldn't prepare, everything is as in order as it was Ms. Mills put in her application to adopt. Henry is doing well in school; he is happy with his adoptive mother and birth mother. Who as far as we can tell is not breaking any laws now in seeing her son or even dating his adoptive mother?"
"Well he has a problem with that I'm sure, two women cannot raise a child, a child needs his father." The judge sighed.
"Research shows that the gender of a parent does not make a difference as long as that parent is just that a parent. Please allow Henry to stand and tell the courts how he feels." Henry stood up nervously biting his nails and looking back at his moms.
"Henry, do you want to go live with your father?" the Judged asked.
"He's not my dad, he scares me, he always wreaks of alcohol and he threatens my moms' a lot. I thought he killed my mom when he kidnapped me and now, I have nightmares." Regina hid a frown; she was so focused on Magnus she hadn't noticed her baby boy was suffering and not coming to her. "Normally I go to my mom for comfort, but I'm so afraid that when I open the door, she'll be there dead on the ground, so I don't go." Emma gripped Regina's hand, like Regina she was feeling for Henry, but they were furious at Neal. "I know she'd be there for me in a heartbeat, but Neal he won't be there for me. He killed my cats and said as much on my birthday cause he thought Hank would make me manlier, and that's after he hurt Hank. I took care of Hank and that's why he's my best friend, but I miss my cats. And I really like boys and he said things that makes me think he'll hurt me like he hurt Hank to be a man in his opinion, I have nightmares about that too."
"See she corrupted him and made him think liking men is okay!" Neal yelled. He was furious. Gold was trying to tell him something, but he wouldn't listen. Emma remembered he was never listening.
"No, I didn't even know mom liked girls until Emma showed interest. My mom's love life has been just that her love life, and not my concern. And I liked boys before that." He turned back to the judge now scared. "My moms' didn't make me gay; I won't be gay please don't take me from my moms'."
"I think that's enough," Regina said indicating Henry to come back to her. He ran to her crying that he was sorry that he had messed up and he'd run away back to her no matter what.
"I'm sorry mom," he sobbed.
"Henry, look at me." He looked at her with teary eyes. "There is nothing wrong with being gay, you are exactly who you are supposed to be. You can't choose who you like, it's just the way you were made and that is perfect." He gave her a watery smile.
"I think I have my ruling," The judge told them. Normally he didn't let parents go on yelling, but it was all very revealing into Neal's thoughts and possible actions. They all stood up and fell silent except for the occasional sniffle from Henry. "It is the opinion of this court that, Henry Daniel Mills, was legally and lawfully adopted by Regina Mills, at the time Mr. Cassidy you were not in contact with Emma Swan and left her a minor in a vulnerable position not knowing what kind of support would greet her out of prison. She exercised her own legal rights by choosing not to list you as the father and thereby allowing her child to be adopted. Henry is in a stable environment that takes care of his emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. Tell me Mr. Cassidy do you believe in therapy?"
"No, of course not," Neal said as Gold face palmed behind him.
"Well your son needs therapy, he has admittedly struggled with being adopted, but therapy is what brings him closer not only to his birth mother, but his adoptive mother. That is why they've been able to become a family not from them pretending to be dating in your opinion. It also helps Henry learn to work out his own emotions in a healthy manner."
"Nothing a little boxing won't cure," Neal said. The judge sighed.
"In any case this case is to decide if you get visiting rights not really custody as that was always off the table unless Ms. Mills proved unfit. She has not. You however Mr. Cassidy have a pending kidnapping charge a serious crime, I do believe with the evidence here that it will be amazing if you don't face some charges. You also have proven that you have emotionally abused Henry and he's not even in your care yet. Nor do I believe that physical abuse would not result of his sexual orientation from you, you are highly against it and this will also affect Henry emotionally and I don't find that in his best interest. In the interest of Henry, I am going to involuntarily terminate your parental rights due to being an unfit parent and an absent birth father." The judge banged his gravel.
"I don't understand," Henry said.
"Henry you're ours, he can't take you, he can't visit you," Regina told him. Henry gave her a big smile as they all hugged. Neal was furious. The judge held him in contempt of court also a little worried about what he might try to do to the little family. They left the courthouse together after thanking their lawyer.
"I'll call the social worker, she said she wanted to hear back as soon as possible when this was resolved, good adoptive parents are in short supply especially for those children who need work." They nodded.
"Thank you so much we'd really appreciate that," Emma told him. He nodded.
"If at all possible, stay in the city, I think she has a few children in mind, but is looking for the right fit." They nodded.
"We will, we have some business to take care of," Regina told him. He nodded. They shook hands and parted ways. Regina drove them to an Airbnb to change clothes before they went out for a late lunch and early dinner to celebrate after calling Maleficent, they even managed a smile from Magnus over the phone. Maleficent swore his unamused look was all Regina, Emma and Henry could not agree more. Emma and Henry called her parents who were more than relieved, before she discussed security with David because she doubted Neal wasn't going to try anything after failing. Afterwards they popped into a movie theater and enjoyed themselves at the arcade and got loads of snacks. Henry was a little surprised that Regina didn't make one peep about it all being unhealthy or that his other mother ate like a child. Instead she cut him off before his stomach hurt over it before they went home. She took care of his fingernails which had blood on them from biting them back so far. She promised to heal them later when they were home.
"From now on if you're too scared to come to my room, you can always text me all right, or if you like I can put a nightlight on in the hallway then it's not as dark and scary as that night or in your dreams."
"Both," Henry said. Regina nodded. "You don't think I'm a baby for not being able to handle a nightmare." Regina rubbed his head.
"Do you think I'm a baby?" Regina asked. "I have nightmares too; do you know how many times your poor mother has gotten punched because I woke up freaking out?"
"Too many," Emma grumbled from the bathroom before she flushed and washed her hands. Henry shook his head.
"No, I heard you recently, but I was too scared myself to get out of bed even though I knew you weren't dead on the floor, I'm a coward," Henry said.
"Oh, my little Prince, it's all right you were scared, and even if you had made it to me, nothing would have stopped me from soothing you, not even my own nightmares."
"That's because you're not a coward."
"No, it's because I'm a mom," Regina corrected. "And if you choose to have children one day or maybe it will be Magnus or maybe even your new adopted sibling, maybe they'll have a nightmare too and come to you. I have no doubt that you will sooth them." He hugged her.
"But what if you're naked?" Henry asked.
"We don't sleep naked and the door will be locked I promise you that," Emma told him.
"You did in California," Henry pointed out.
"Henry," Regina warned knowing he knew that they were naked for a reason, but he was just watching Emma squirm because it was making him feel better.
"Sorry," He said.
"Oh, you are so your mother just love watching the world burn," Emma huffed. Henry chuckled as he hugged Emma too getting in some cuddle time. This one on one time was sorely needed Regina decided with a new baby in the house and eventually yet another sibling. She would have to do better with her time. For now, though she just stayed present and enjoyed her son, who was safe and sound in Emma's arms.
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