That precisely how I feel when I watched Once Upon a Time, it took a long time for everyone to gain trust and everything to be 'happy ending' for Regina. I completely understand how frustrating it is that it is unfair to Regina and all. Besides, I am coming to the end of the chapter anyway, that is the reason I choose the anniversary party to redirect to Emma previously instead of Berta, and I know it is slow. I believe the next chapter or chapter 30 will be the last unsure, so don't worry. It's coming to an end, and you'll see why soon. I wish I could show the blueprint of the house, but it is similar to the white house, but with two stories and it has like bent up arrows (think cut half cross that has gone right and then up) because of the swimming pool. From the outside, it doesn't look like it has changed except for four columns of the front porch to make it more length/wider.
Whenever Emma has an overnight shift, Regina would go over to Berta's house. She tries to go and see her as much as often to put her essence in her belly, so Berta would not faint or worse. Regina has been reading textbooks and spell books, but nothing on pregnancy yet. Regina was not sure how much Emma knows about the pregnancy, but Emma is trying to deny as long as she can. Still, eventually, Regina would have a serious discussion with Emma soon. Emma thought the True Love kiss would work that night after the anniversary, but Regina has been resisting the entire time, and Emma doesn't know why.
Lately, Berta has been struggling to sleep because of the growing pain in her belly has been frequent since she is in her eighth month of pregnancy. Regina watches Berta sleep peacefully with Regina's hands on her huge belly as she smiles to herself. She has felt the baby kicking every time she touches her abdomen. Regina has been encouraging Berta to go yoga for pregnant mothers to help with birthing to make it easier, so Regina took her to the class every Tuesdays and Thursdays mid-morning. Lately, Berta has been struggling to eat appropriately and kept having heartburns since the baby kept pushing her inside. Regina has been buying nipple cream for Berta's cracked nipples as well as extra pillows for between her legs so Berta can sleep comfortably. Regina has been dying to know the sex of the baby. Berta has been stubborn about this because she wants this to be a surprise, so Regina respected her wish. Regina looked around the room and realizes it is not safe for Berta to stay in the castle anymore because of the stairs and much walking where Berta should rest. Razi has asked Regina to enroll her in school since she doesn't know much, so Regina signed her up in high school private tutoring until she can catch up to everyone's level. Regina gave Berta credit card because of pregnancy clothes that Berta needs and other products, but Regina kept watch how Berta spends her money. Regina was impressed with Berta how she controls Regina's money much better than before.
Regina started to decide where to put the baby because it is pretty much full. Henry did offer his room, but Regina refuses because he might sleepover or needs a room for any reason. Regma's place is right next to Hope's office across from Henry's, and then around the corner is Nardia's room. The television room is right across the hall from Nardia's, so Regina thought about converting that room for the newborn. Regina made a mental note to discuss with Berta to decorate the room at the mansion because she wanted Berta to be happy and remain welcomed. Regina does try to make every request Berta asked because she is expecting, and she is not the one who wants to argue with a pregnant woman.
"You know that I can hear you from here," Berta whispered about to open her eyes facing Regina.
Regina sweetly smiles, "There are a lot of things going on and so much to prepare for a little time."
Berta smirked as her arms laid on top of Regina's caressing her fingers, "You're worried?"
Truthfully, Regina is worried about Berta's wellbeing. Still, she didn't say anything because Regina doesn't want to cause unnecessary panic as she thought a different topic, "I was thinking about where to put the baby room. We should decorate in my home in any way you want."
"Anything I want?" Berta asked double-checking to make sure she understands correctly.
"The baby room and nice try," Regina kissed her forehead.
Berta sighs crackled with a hopeful look, "We should, tomorrow morning?"
Regina nodded in agreement because everyone will be at school, "We have to go the town nearby for nursery and décor such as baby cribs and other things you can choose for the room," Berta started to show discomfort, "Are you ok?"
Regina notices that Berta started to wake up in the middle of the night for a few hours and then finally gone back to sleep. Berta answered, "Don't worry so much about me."
Regina rolled her eyes, "I don't think that's possible, but all in seriousness, what's wrong?"
"What if this baby becomes evil because you said he would put together three curses?" Berta frown with her heads down, "I don't think there is anyone good who does this."
Regina heard her concerns caressing her abdomen's skin, "If it was so, and I promise I'll fight for this baby to bring the child back. If it is our child's destiny, then I'll be there with her or him to make sure this child's heart remains pure."
"I'm hungry," Regina conjured berry yogurt and then helped her to sit up with mountains of pillows behind her. Berta started eating then looked up in Regina's sincere eyes, "You promise?"
Regina sighs how insecure Berta is about this situation, but if she has to admit and then she would say she is worried about this as well, but she replied, "Our child will always have me, I promise."
"I know our child is not Emma's, but will you treat ours just like yours?" Berta voiced softly, finishing her yogurt.
Regina mentally curses to herself how well Berta reads her, "I know that I have been hard on you, and I don't show my appreciation as much as I should have. For that, I am sorry. I have always seen you, and anytime I am kissing you; then, my mind is all on you. I never wish you to be someone else and not even Emma. Our child and I promise I will tell this child about you, so he/she will know you personally."
Berta gave back the empty yogurt as Regina took it to make it disappear in black smoke. Regina started to get out of the bed, but Berta stopped her staring deep in Regina's eyes as Berta pulled her in to begin intense kissing. Regina wasn't sure what to do as she put her hands on the side of her face returning the kiss as Berta opened her mouth for entry. Regina stopped before it gets farther, slowly sighed, "Don't do that anymore."
Berta kept her eyes locked on Regina, "I am sorry."
"I have been keeping Dark One at bay ever since I have come back to Storybrooke, and it wasn't easy for me. I would like very much to keep it that way," Regina explained, trying to control herself for Emma because of her promise.
Berta nodded in understanding sadly.
Regina kissed her on the mouth, soundly because she hates to see her sad and then in her sweet voice, "You're beautiful, did you know that?"
Berta smirked, "I feel like a cow that is big and ugly."
Regina teases, "A beautiful cow, nevertheless."
Berta laughs this time, "Thank you, Regina."
Regina got up and then stood by the bed to help her to go back to sleep, "Berta, make sure you and Razi pack your things and clothes. I do not want you to walk the stairs anymore. In the morning, when you finish and then call for me. The guest house for you both is ready, so that way, it will easier in case of trouble with pregnancy."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Berta listened as she started to feel sleepy again while Regina did the last time to put her essence inside of her. Regina kissed on her forehead, "Good night, princess."
Regina arrived home looking around studying the structure of the house and decided it's time to change the design of the house because of the newborn baby. The mansion has become crowding, and Regina likes to have her space. It dawns to her that she has not raised any of the children except Henry, and that saddens her. Regina wants to raise at least one child with Emma from birth.
"Hey," Emma called out from the kitchen, cleaning the wound on her face.
Regina wasn't paying attention until she turns around in surprise and then noticed the wound side of Emma's face like something scratched her, "What happened?"
Emma shrugged, "Teenagers got into a fight, and I had to put a stop to it."
Regina walked over to heal her face and then smiling through the kisses because she's thrilled to see her safe home, "You're home."
Emma kissed back, "What's wrong? You were standing there in a daze."
"I did not realize until today that we have seven children, but I only raise one, Henry. You have raised Henry, Hope, and Colin. I wish we both raise at least one kid from birth. Regma and Nardia taken from me at a young age, and I didn't even bond with Nardia during my pregnancy," Regina shows her honest diffidence.
Emma listened carefully and then decided to wrap around her waist, "That is one of the reasons that I wanted to be the one who is carrying our child. I did not raise not one child that is from us. I understand how you feel, Gina. I wanted to have one child that I can easily bond with because Regma and Nardia, I mean, they take after you. You act more of a mother to them than I do."
Regina knew they both feel the same way, "I can get you pregnant after Berta's baby is born. We can start over raising one child in the right way."
Emma beams, "I honestly cannot wait because I have been imagining carrying your child even before Hook. When you were pregnant twice, and I felt unfair because True Love magic has chosen you, but not me. What's wrong with me?"
Regina kisses her on the mouth before she kept talking, "My Love, there is nothing wrong you; besides, I think you are secretly glad that you act more of a playful father and everything. Our kids love you, and anytime they want some fun, then they go to you every time. We have our skills and talents, so I sometimes wish I have yours.
Emma smirked and then became serious regarding Berta that she tries to avoid as much as possible. Still, she realizes that she needs to talk about this, "Regina, I am trying to understand very hard why Berta impregnated with yours. I do not want to be upset about this, but we do need to talk about this. I mean, you said Black Queen beat you to it, and what does that mean?"
Regina bit her tongue not expecting question that Emma wants to discuss right now in the middle of the night, "We can talk about it in the morning?"
Emma shakes her head, "We hold this conversation as long as we can, besides during the day is always busy, and so can we please talk about this."
Regina nodded in agreement, "Alright," they both walked to the office to talk in private, and they sat on the couch by the fireplace. Regina inhaled and then spoke, "When I came to see you in the dream to inform you about Berta's child with my offspring, and that month is when Black Queen abducted Berta and me. I do not remember, and I only remember the end of it. Black Queen let us go and didn't exactly fight back with me. I sometimes wondered why because she could have easily killed me, but she didn't."
Emma listened carefully to each word, "What happened that month, and what does it do with Berta?"
"I believe Black Queen wanted to carry the child, but she needed magic to activate the egg to get it. She was planning to get my essence inside of Berta, but I woke up. The men made a mistake and didn't check on me to make sure I remain unconscious," Regina slowly explain, "I was not planning to impregnate her until I felt my genetic material that she took from me from the month I was missing."
Emma asked, "Why did you go ahead, activate with your magic if she wasn't technically pregnant? You seem you wanted Berta to be pregnant."
Regina cleared her throat by the question, "She was pregnant already, Emma. I had to activate because she's human. If I get you pregnant, and then I would not need to do anything except give you boost once in a while because you already have the magic to fuel. Berta is not my True Love, and that is the reason she is always sick and in pain. Berta is still not compatible with mine, so I remain Dark One until the baby is born. The baby needs my essence, so that why it is calming for Berta when I keep feeding as much as I can to lessen the pain. You should know that the baby needs my essence for it to grow properly as well."
"Oh, that why you resisted me that night and few times after that," Emma frown.
"I am sorry."
"I just need time, Regina, but I am not angry. I am hurt because …," Emma couldn't speak anymore.
Reinga heavily sighs hugging her tight and then kissed her softly on her wet lips, "I know it seems like she needs me more than you, but don't think that, Emma. I need you more just as you need me more so than Berta. You, Emma, are high above the waters, and Berta is floating on the waters. You are much more important than Berta is."
Emma smiles at that, "I know, but you cannot deny that Berta means something to you. When it comes to Berta and me, and how do I know that you could easily choose Berta in any day?"
"I thought we are over with this …," Regina's eyes crossed.
Emma gesturing raises her arms, "Regina, it's not that. I'm worried about you. Berta is not good for you because I can see she pulls you down or makes you darker. Every time you come home, you look depressed; think of this way, she's your drug, and Berta makes you want to come back for more. I want to be your drug and remedy."
Regina understood Emma's point, "I see. She does make me dangerous, but I haven't because of you. You are my remedy, so every time comes home to you, and then I feel refreshed. She may be my drug, but Emma, you are much more addicting."
Emma smiles warmly, then Regina kissed her thought of a way to turn the tables, "Look at this way, Emma, between cocaine and heroin; Heroin is much more dangerous to users and others than cocaine. However, you are my alcohol that makes my body hot and drinks a lot more. Drugs are dangerous, but you are much more addicting. You are the only one who can break me."
"Berta cannot, and she can eat her ass," Emma laughs, feeling better.
Regina rolled her eyes as Emma sat on Regina's lap and then starting smiling through kisses playfully. Regina kisses her back but stopped, "I don't want that smile go away, but I want you to be aware that Berta will be in the guesthouse tomorrow or two. Berta is in the eighth month of pregnancy and dangerous for Berta to stay at the castle alone. There are stairs, and everything since Berta doesn't have anyone to look after her."
Emma nodded in understanding, but felt awkward for Berta to come, "I would prefer if Berta doesn't stay anywhere in the area because I am worried what she will do to you when you both are alone."
Regina smiles how protective Emma is towards her, "I promise, Emma, I will be careful and keep my guard up at all times." Regina thought of this house, but decided to hold off until the morning because it is getting late, "Emma, you need to go to sleep."
Emma got up to stretch herself, "I am exhausted, and my entire body is sore from the fight."
"Want me to heal you?" Regina stood up, but Emma replied, "No, this makes me feel a little more human." Emma quickly kissed her, "I'll see you in the morning, bright and early."
Regina smirked kissed back, "I don't think bright and early is possible for you, but I'll have coffee for you in the morning prepared as always. Good night, my Love."
Regina went over to her desk, resuming the work to catch up because it takes forever to take care of everything needed and to repair. The hospital requested a wing for the clinic because more people are coming in from United Realms. Regina has been working on the layout of a small village, which Remington Community gave her idea to add more houses in Storybrooke. Still, she needs to search for the right place to put because there are universities near the town line and at least five castles all over outside of Storybrooke. She thought of a soccer field with colossal swimming pool minutes from villages, but a vast park in the middle with water foundation at the opposite ends and then circled houses. This small neighborhood that has five-pocket clusters of communities with street and access lanes along with networks walkway that can become trails miles around the village that will give citizens to enjoy the view. Each pocket clusters of areas should have between 5 to 10 houses.
She drew the layout of the mansion to see what she can change and add while making the estate looking more length. For hours, she has been working with different responsibilities while brainstorming ideas because she is going out of town with Berta, so she prefers to complete most of the work. Time has passed without realizing that Berta has been calling for her out of nowhere, but she ignored knowing she is perfectly fine.
Regina touched the apples in the morning and thought about the child putting together three curses, so her next mission is to find out more information before she turns back to Regina Mills. Regina walked inside to start the coffee maker and then cooked eggs, bacon, and waffles, the family favorites, but this time she added berries to the waffles.
Emma woke up smiling while looking making sure no one is around as she walked behind her kissing her neck, Regina lightly moaned, "You're distracting me. I'm making you waffles."
Emma ignored putting her hands under her shirt, softly caressing her skin, and then Emma turns her around profoundly, kissing her on the mouth. Regina happily returns playfully kissing back while slowly taking her top pajamas off with love in her eyes.
Regma appeared in the bedroom, rolling her eyes as she grumbled, "You guys have to do that?!"
Emma laughs embarrassedly, "We have a private room, and I apologize, Regma."
Regma pointed upstairs, walking towards the kitchen, "I am happy for you both, but use it!" Regma noticed her top is half unbuttoned, so she pointed. Emma looked down; then turns around facing Regina as Regina buttoned her pajamas, "Good morning, my love."
Emma beamed, winking, "You owe me, babe."
Regina purred whispering, "I'll be glad to pay."
Regma rolled her eyes at that, "my god, you both are gross and mom, the waffles are burning."
Regina returns the waffles magically fixed it, cooked another waffle, and then redirected to Emma and Regma. Emma poured coffee while Regma adding apple juice, then Regina spoke, "you both need to pack an overnight bag and sleep at your grandparents.
They both asked, confused, "Why?"
Regina lightly smiled, "It is surprise because I am redesigning the house to make more room for everybody."
They both got excited rambling, asking; Regma asked if she could have a pool in the backyard, and then Emma begged to have a gym room.
Regina listened to their excitement, and then Regma banged on the table without meaning to "Game room!"
Nardia woke up with the noise from downstairs and recognized that Emma and Regma are speaking loudly, so she walked downstairs, "What the problem?"
Regma apologized, "Sorry sis, I got excited because mom told us to pack overnight bag since she is redesigning the house. I asked her to add a swimming pool and game room."
Nardia beamed sitting in the kitchen island next to Regma, "We never had a game store in Storybrooke, and I always wanted to try foosball. Although I prefer to have an entertainment room with a large television with the best armchair."
Regina listens as she sighs, "I'll add it to my growing list of needs when I redesign, and I'll let you know. However, if I make a gym, entertainment, and game room with a swimming pool and then I want all of you to promise to go to the reading room that we already have in this house to read actual books. I never see any of you use it, but me."
Nardia answered, "If you somehow can add game and entertainment room, then we promise to go to the reading room once a week to read a book."
Regina laughs, "Absolutely not."
Emma offered, "Twice a week?"
Regina disagreed, while all three of them looked at each other to talk privately. Regina completed cooking waffles and bacon, setting the kitchen island, and then asked, "Have three of you reach a decision?"
cont. next chapter
