Family Life With A Queen

by HerBlondeToy

Five years have gone by for our Swan-Mills family and while it all may seem perfect, we all know that perfection never lasts. (Rated M for future chapters)

18. Chapter 18

I'm back. I'm going to be honest and say that this story may be ending soon. While Working for a Queen wasn't my first story, it did become my favorite. I have loved all three parts to this, but quite honestly, I've been running out of ideas. This is Chapter 18, and there will be at least 20 chapters, but I figured I'd let you all start to be prepared lol. I MAY or MAY NOT do a part 4, but if I do, it'll be a while as I have to get ideas for it first. (Ps. If you have ideas, send me a message as I'm always open to them).

Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 18

When Emma and Regina told the others about their idea in having a small "castle" like home, or as Regina called it, a Chateau, it became obvious that the others were a bit jealous. In the end, they got rid of all the houses in their lot and made one big Chateau for them all to share. It was still private for each family in that each family's 'section' had their own rooms, kitchen, living area, and what ever they wanted, but there were common areas as well. Also, per requests from the kids, there were 'secret passageways' that connected each area. They still had the patio outside, which was now called the courtyard and of course all the barns, sheds, and fun things outside stayed. Emma's office was still there, though moved more to the side so her patients weren't distracted by the view of what was being called "Storybrooke Palace" by the townspeople.

At first, Henry was worried that the kids at school would treat him differently, but that was not the case. He was still Henry Swan-Mills and was treated the same as always. The girls were excited to go back to school and tell everyone about the 'exciting' summer they had and for once, be in different classes. Eva had admitted she would miss having Malory in her class, and Malory admitted she was scared to be with out Eva, but both Regina and Emma weren't fighting for them to be together because they thought it would be good for them to have a few hours apart each day. It was their last year of elementary school and knew that when they started middle school, they wouldn't always be together. The two had really bonded after the issue with Fiona and then Cora's health and both mothers couldn't be happier.

"Mommy! Mama! We're gonna be late for my first real day!" Oliver cried as he stood by the front door. He had started kindergarten and his first week was only half days to get them ready and hadn't been able to take the bus. Today, however, was a full day, and he couldn't wait to ride the bus.

"We still have ten minutes before the bus get's here, Oliver." Eva said with a chuckle. "You know that moms are both a bit slower right now since they got a bit bigger last week."

Malory chuckled. "A bit? Maybe mom, but Mama looks like she swallowed a baby…"

"A baby what, Malory?" Emma asked from behind them. "I looked like I swallowed a baby what?"

Malory blushed and shrugged. "Nothing, Mama. I wasn't going to say anything."

"Leave her alone, baby." Regina said, putting her hand on Emma's back. "So your babies grew a bit more than mine, it's okay."

"Only they didn't, Regina." Emma said, teary eyed. "Dr. Nolan said they're all around the same size, but I'm so much bigger than you. Why am I so much bigger?"

Henry chuckled, coming down by the door. "Because you eat so much more. Ma, you eat like you're never going to get another meal while mom still eats like a normal person."

"I'm normal." Emma said with a pout. "I'm just eating for three."

"So is mom."

Emma scowled. "I don't like you anymore."

Henry chuckled. "Love you too, Ma." He said kissing her cheek.

That did make her smile as he very rarely hugged or kissed his mothers anymore. "I love you, kid. Oh, don't forget that your dad is going to take you to practice driving tonight."

"Right, and I still can't use your car?" He asked, giving puppy eyes.

Emma chuckled. "That's your moms call."

"And I've told you no because that is a very expensive SUV. You know, your mom's old bug is out behind the barns."

"He's not taking my bug."

"Does the bug even run anymore?" Henry asked with a chuckle.

"Yes. I go and turn her on every now and then. She's my first baby and always will be."

"I thought I was your first baby." Henry teased.

"You were my second. That bug was my first. Maybe if you get your license next month, you can try her out." She looked around. "Right, we've got a bus to catch."

"I'm walking. Have a good day Oliver." Henry said, ruffling his little brother's hair.

The Swan-Mills kids met the other kids at the driveway just in time. Emma and Regina took pictures of Oliver getting on the bus and then waived as they left, both wiping at tears before heading home. Both women had taken off and while they had planned on doing other things, they ended up napping most of the day.

Two days later, they both had appointments and relented to Cora to let her come with. They took turns with ultrasounds and both were told that after the last growth spurt, they were equivalent to seven months along. When Emma had the girls, this was about when she gave birth, but she wasn't ready yet and neither was Regina. They were enjoying what they both decided would be their last pregnancies and didn't want it to go faster.

"I swear I'm going to write a book on magical pregnancies after this." Dr. Kathryn Nolan said as she came in with a smile. "You two all ready for four new little ones?"

They both smiled but shrugged. "I mean, we're ready in that we have the room almost done and all that, but I'm not ready to not be pregnant yet." Regina admitted. "Knowing these will be our last, I want them inside me for as long as possible." She rubbed at her stomach. "I kind of hate that they had little growth spurts, but at least it wasn't as bad as with Oliver."

Kathryn smiled softly. "Bed rest. That will help, though I know it's hard since both of you are pregnant and you have four other kids."

Emma gave a nod, rubbing her own belly. "It's hard, but the kids have been great. Honestly, I'm terrified. It's one thing when we can keep them contained in our bodies, but once they're out, it's a bit harder."

"There's no doubt about that, but there's also no doubt that you two can handle it. These kids are very lucky. Do you want to know the genders?"

Emma bit her lip. "Um…is it more than one gender?"

Kathryn nodded. "Yes, there's more than one."

"Two of each?" Regina asked and Kathryn chuckled.

"Three of one and one of the other."

Emma sighed, looking at Regina. "I want to know this time."

"Okay fine." Regina said with a smile. "Tell us."

Kathryn smiled, more of a smirk. "You're sure? I don't really want any of you upset at me."

"Wait." Emma said. "Can you write it down and put in in a sealed envelope? Our names and what each of us are having?" She looked at Regina. "Let's have a gender reveal party. That's one thing we haven't been able to do. We had baby showers and stuff, but never a gender reveal."

Regina smiled and gave a nod. "We can do that. We'll figure out how to do it."

That weekend, the family and friends gathered in the courtyard and had a good meal. Everyone placed bets on what the genders would be and while Eva, Oliver, and Henry hoped for one girl and three boys, Oliver wanted three girls and one boy. Each mother stood in front of two boxes labelled 'A' and 'B'. When they would be opened, a poof of either pink or blue smoke would come out. Being Cora knew the genders, she also had an order she wanted them to open them in.

"Okay, Emma, box A first, then Regina. Then you open boxes B together."

Emma smiled and opened box A, producing a cloud of pink smoke and cheers from those gathered. Regina opened her box A and a could of blue smoke and cheers. "So either I have the only girl or you have the only boy." Emma stated, honestly not caring what the genders were to be.

"Okay, count of three." Regina said and they counted. On three, they both opened their boxes marked B and thick clouds of pink smoke emerged, causing Oliver to jump and cheer. Regina laughed and hugged Emma, kissing her cheek. "Three girls and a boy. Wow."

Cora smiled "Emma, your girls are identical. You must have some gene for carrying identical girls."

Emma smiled and hugged her girls. "I must." She looked at them. "But don't worry, my little honeybees, mama loves you so much.

Eva rolled her eyes, but Malory hugged her. "I know you do, Mama. Don't worry, we won't get jealous."

In the end, all the kids were happy and the family of six sat around writing down and voting on names. Emma loved having the other kids involved, though her one requirement was that for their son, either his first or middle name would be David.

"Do you have names yet?" Cora asked as she made her rounds to her daughters and their kids.

"Yes!" Eva said and looked at Regina. "Can I tell her?"

"Go ahead, baby."

"Christopher David for our brother and for our sisters, Adelaide Grace who I'm gonna call Addie, Charlotte Ann who I'm gonna either call Charlie or Lottie, and Gabriella Mae who I'm gonna call Gabby."

"Christopher, Adelaide, Charlotte, and Gabriella. Wow, those are beautiful names. You all did a great job picking them out. I was afraid we'd end up with names like Prickle, Jepson, Thunder and Skyfall or something."

Oliver giggled at that and Eva shook her head. "We're not that bad at names." Ry stated.

"No, you're not bad at all." Cora looked over at Henry. "How is my oldest grandchild doing? I hear you're getting ready for your drivers test."

"I am." He said smiling and coming over. "Dad said I'm going to pass with flying colors."

There was a sudden crash in the kitchen where Emma and Regina had gone and then they could hear Emma groaning.

"Mom? Mom I think it's time for Emma." Regina called from the doorway and then held her own stomach, wincing. "Oh, I think it's time for me too."

"I'll call Mal and Grandma Snow, Eva, can you call Zelena?" Henry asked and then went to the door with her phone. "It's okay, we have everything planned out, we know what to do."

With in fifteen minutes, Zelena had gotten the two girls and Oliver while Snow and Mal came and grabbed Emma and Regina's packed bags. It had been planned that should both women go into labor at the same time, Zelena would watch the kids and Snow, Cora, and Mal would go to the hospital since they'd both need someone with them. Dr. Nolan had Mal come earlier in the week and make one of the rooms bigger so that both women could be there should they go into labor together. Now, they were both glad they had decided on that.

Both women were checked and dilated enough to be checked in, get an IV and were told they'd be in labor soon. Dr. Nolan came in with a smile. "It's baby time? I know you both wanted this to last longer, but those little ones want out. I hope you don't mind, but I've asked Anslie to help me in here since she's going for her medical degree, and she knows you. However, if you'd rather she not be in here…"

"No, it's fine." Emma said, breathing through a contraction. "Can you please break my water. This hurts so bad and last time, that helped."

Regina reached over but couldn't reach Emma. "You're too far away."

"I'm sorry, Regina, but we can't move you closer." Kathryn said as she checked Emma's numbers and pressed on her stomach. "Sorry Emma, I didn't mean to hurt you." She nodded to the nurse. "Get Anslie and have her break Emma's water." She then went to Regina and checked her as well. "You're ready for breakage too. Feet up."

After both women had their waters broke, they were able to relax a bit. "You know, I thought this would be kinda cool, to have our babies at the same time, but now I wish we weren't. I wish I could hold your hand and you hold mine." Emma said, looking over at Regina.

"I know, but we'll be okay. I love you, Emma."

"I love you, too."

Things for Regina seemed to start moving faster before Emma and soon enough she was pushing. Emma watched, her holding Snow's hand, who was holding one of Regina's. "You got this, baby. You can do it."

There was excitement and then the sound of a baby crying could be heard. Cora smiled and looked over to Emma. "Christopher David is here."

Emma smiled and her mother leaned over and kissed Emma's head. "Your father will be honored."

"Can I see him?" Emma asked as the nurses cleaned him off.

"Let her see him first. Baby two is coming." Regina said and the nurse handed the baby to Emma.

"Hi baby boy." Emma said with a smile. "Welcome to the world, Christopher David." She then looked at Anslie. "Why haven't I started with mine?"

"Because you're a different person, Emma. Just because Regina started, doesn't mean your body is ready yet. Don't worry, everything is just fine."

Emma handed her son to Maleficent as Regina started pushing again. "You can do it baby. I'm so proud of you." Emma called, rubbing at her stomach. "You guys need to stop being stubborn and get out here."

"Wow, she was fast." Dr. Nolan said, holding up baby two.

Regina looked at Emma and smiled. "Adelaide?"

Emma nodded. "Adelaide Grace." Suddenly, Emma turned white and she winced in pain, her monitors starting to go crazy.

"Emma? What's going on?" Regina asked, fear hitting her.

"Anslie, please take over here with Regina." Dr. Nolan said as she changed gloves and apron and moved over to Emma. "Emma, honey, breathe for me." She said, as she and the nurses were busy around her. "Her heart rate is too low." She looked at Snow. "I'm sorry, we have to take her to another room."

"Do what you have to do, but you better bring her back." Regina said, tears in her eyes. She watched them take Emma and started crying. "She better not leave me now. I need her. The kids need her. This isn't supposed to happen."

Cora put Adelaide into the baby cot and came over to her daughter. "Honey, she'll be okay. We have to think positive."

Mal wheeled the baby cots over. "She's right. Focus on Christopher and Adelaide for now." She then moved to Snow and hugged her. "She's going to be okay."

Snow sniffed and hugged Mal back, holding her a bit longer. "Thanks, Mal." She said in a whisper. "I just wish I can be with her."

Anslie finished up with Regina and covered her back up as Cora used her magic to change her into sweats. "Regina, you did great. Christopher and Adelaide are both strong and healthy. They'll be taken in a little while for routine blood tests and everything. I'm going to go see how Emma is doing, but if you need anything, please ask the nurses." She said, squeezing Regina's hand.

"Thank you, Anslie. Please go check on my wife. Tell her I love her."

"Tell her we all do." Snow said, tears in her eyes. After Anslie left, Snow went over and smiled as she looked at the babies. "Regina, they're perfect. Adelaide looks so much like you."

Regina tried to smile and then sighed. "I want to hold them. I need to do something."

Cora and Mal looked at each other and then came over, putting their hands on Regina. Regina closed her eyes and took in their magic. She then sat up and reached for her son and then her daughter. After the girls, she had become used to holding two babies at once. "I love you, my beautiful babies. I'm sorry if things seem crazy right now and if it seems like my mind isn't focused on you, but you see, your Mama is having your sisters and something bad is happening. Don't worry though, your mama is a fighter and she'll be okay." Regina looked up as Anslie came back in. Right away, she knew something was wrong as the girl was white as a ghost. "Anslie, is she okay?"

"Dr. Nolan kicked me out." Anslie said, wringing her hands together. "They're talking about maybe taking the babies out via c-section."

The door opened and Kathryn came in. "I'm sorry that I have to do this right now, but time is important. Emma's not doing good at all and we need to know if it comes down to it, do we save her or the babies?"

Regina's hand went to her mouth and she felt she was going to be sick. How could she make that choice? But she had to; everyone was looking at her. She looked at her mother and then at Snow and then at Kathryn. "Her. You save her."

Dr. Nolan nodded and left the room and Regina let out a sob as Anslie and Mal took the babies. Cora hugged her daughter and Snow…Snow was so lost. "Regina…Emma would have said to save the babies over herself." She said quietly.

"I know, and maybe that was the right answer, but…but what good is having eight kids if they don't have both their moms?"

Snow went to her and wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you. I know that couldn't have been easy. Either way, we're losing precious life."

"Maybe." Anslie said. "We don't know for sure yet. Don't give up hope."

"Dr. Nolan, her heart rate is still low."

"I know, but it's not going lower. Get those babies out so we can work on Emma. Emma, you stay with us or we'll all be in trouble." They all set to work, and Kathryn let out a small sigh of relief when the baby girls were out. "They seem okay, but take them to the NICU, Emma's got a bad infection and I want to make sure it didn't effect the babies." She then set to work on Emma, praying the woman would be okay.

A nurse came into the room where Regina and the family were and cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, I don't have a lot of answers, but Dr. Nolan asked that I inform you that your two other babies are in the NICU and she's working on Emma now. She was able to get the babies without putting Emma at further risk. She has an infection and that's the only reason the babies are in the NICU, but the doctor there said everything looks good with them and after a quick round of tests, they should be able to come in by you."

"Is Emma okay?" Regina asked, her heart pounding.

"As of now, her heart rate is low, but Dr. Nolan said now that she knows what's going on, she should be okay. We can't guarantee anything yet, and I'm sorry for that."

"It's okay, just keep me informed please."

"Of course." The nurse said and left and Regina let out a breath.

"I can't lose her." She kept saying as she looked at her babies sleeping.

"You're not going to." Anslie said and came over. "Come on, let's go see your other girls. If news comes, they'll know where to find us."

Regina nodded and went with Anslie to the NICU where her other babies were the only two patients. They were in incubators but looked just as big and strong as Christopher and Adelaide. "They look good." She said, smiling as they slept. "They're identical, that's for sure."

"They look like they have darker hair." Anslie said with a smile. "What are their names?"

"Charlotte Ann and Gabriella Mae. I'm not sure which will be which yet. Emma and I were going to figure that out together." Regina said, wiping a tear.

"You ARE going to figure that out together. Don't talk in past tense, Regina, she's still here."

"Mrs. Swan-Mills?" A kind man asked as he came over. "I'm Dr. West. I just got the results back and while their mama has an infection, your girls are strong and healthy. You can take them with you back to your room if you'd like."

Regina smiled. "Thank you so much."

Back in the room, Regina lined the four baby cots side by side and looked at her babies. Their babies. So much of Emma was in all four of them and so much of her as well and she hoped to the heavens they'd know their Mama and not just be told about her.

"Regina? I think Christopher and Adelaide are getting hungry. Charlotte and Gabriella should be good for a while an we can figure out what to do for them, but the other two should be ready to nurse."

Regina nodded at Anslie and assured the others they didn't have to leave. Cora and Snow each picked up a granddaughter as Regina did what she had seen Emma do when they had the girls and feed both babies. Luckily, the both latched on and when done, Mal helped her burp them. "This may seem odd, but it's like my body knows something. I feel like I have more milk, but they aren't eating anymore. I…I think I have enough to feed the other two."

"Do you mind if I…check?" Anslie asked, coming over as Regina shook her head. She gently felt around and smiled. "I think you're right. Do you want to try with both of them?" She asked as she took Christopher from her, Mal having already taken Adelaide.

"Sure. But if I do this, will they still feed from Emma if…when she makes it through?"

Anslie thought about it. "Honestly, I can't say for sure. I can't even say if Emma will be able to nurse if she's on certain medications. The babies have to eat though, so either they get milk from you or they get formula and either way, that means they may not feed from Emma later."

Regina nodded and swallowed. "I guess I'll do it then. I'd rather they get my milk." She took the other two and gazed at them. "You two look so much like your Mama. I can't wait for you to meet her. She's…she's the most amazing woman and you're lucky to call her Mama." She positioned them and smiled as they latched on. She then looked at Anslie. "I don't want you to get in trouble, but it's been over an hour. Any chance you can try to see how Emma's doing?"

Anslie gave a nod and squeezed Regina's hand. "I'll try." She left the room and went to find someone who could help her. Finally, she was able to go in and see Dr. Nolan. "How is she?"

Kathryn smiled. "Come with me, I'll tell everyone at once." They walked into the room and everyone sat as Kathryn went to each baby, wishing them a happy birthday. She then looked at the group. "Emma's going to be just fine. Her heart rate dropped due to an infection in her uterus. She probably had it a while, but while the water sack was intact, it wasn't causing any reactions. The NICU doctor assured me that the babies were not affected by it. When we broke her water, it did agitate the infection and, I'll be honest, it was touch and go. She's good now, no need to worry. We did have to take her uterus though. It's a partial hysterectomy and I'm sorry, but I had to. She won't go through early menopause though because she still has her ovaries, but she won't be having more kids."

"She's okay though?" Regina asked, holding Cora's hand. "Where is she?"

"She's okay. She's in recovery right now and we can bring her in here soon. I know you're all going to want to heal her, and that's fine, I won't stop you, but even if you physically heal her, she will need rest. Just like you do, Regina. Even if both of you are healed, I want you to stay overnight with the babies to make sure everything is okay."

Regina nodded and sighed. "I'm so glad everything is okay, but I…I can't help but wonder how Emma will react. She can't have kids after this, and though we planned on the quads being our last, she didn't exactly get to have the best birthing experience."

Dr. Nolan nodded sadly. "I understand that. That's part of why I want both of you to stay tonight. Regina, I'm not throwing this in your face, but with Oliver, you had postpartum depression and that means there's a stronger chance now. With all this with Emma, she has a strong chance as well and I want to be sure you're all okay." She looked around. "I'm assuming Regina and Emma will be sharing a bed tonight, so there will be one open and we can bring in a couple cots if you all want to stay."

Snow looked at Regina and before she could even ask, Regina nodded. "You're staying, Snow. Your daughter will want you here."

"I'm going home." Mal announced. "After I see Emma of course, but my wife and kids will want me home tonight."

"I think I'll see how Emma is before I make my choice." Cora said and Regina nodded.

Regina got up and hugged the doctor. "Seriously, our family owes you a new car or something. Everything you've done for us."

Kathryn smiled. "That tends to happen when the two most experienced doctors are me and Whale. Not sure why, but more people want to see me than him" She said sarcastically. "Our Anslie will be great once she's passed her MD. Needed too." She smiled at the young one and then looked back at Regina. "I'll go check on Emma now. In the meantime, order some food and rest up."

"Thanks, doc." Regina stated and sat back on the bed. She was glad the quads were sleeping and that Snow, Cora, and Mal were here should they start acting up.

A half hour later, a groggy blonde was wheeled into the room and helped into the bed. Regina got up and moved over to the bed. "Emma baby? How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been hit by a bus." Emma said, laying back. "How are the babies?"

"They're fine, Emma. Do you want to see them?" Mal asked, but Emma shook her head.

"Not right now. Sorry. I'm tired." Emma said, turning away from everyone.

"Emma, honey what's wrong?" Snow asked, moving over and taking her daughter's hand. "Talk to me, baby."

Emma blinked as her tears fell. "It was my last time having kids and I didn't even get to be awake. One minute, I'm pregnant and happy watching my wife give birth and the next, I wake up finding my babies were cut out of me along with my uterus." She wiped at her eyes. "I know we weren't planning on more, but just knowing I can't ever again, and I wasn't even here for this, I…just feel like I missed out."

Snow stroked Emma's cheek as Regina rubbed her back. "I get that, honey. You missed the birth and that had to be hard." Snow said, lifting Emma's chin. "Take some time to be sad, but then look at your babies. Honey, we almost lost you and I'm not trying to put down what you've gone through, but you're here. Your babies have you and need you."

"I know, mom. I'm sorry I scared you."

"Shh baby. No one is upset with you." Regina said. "Honey, let us heal you and then get some sleep, okay? The babies will be here when you get up."

"Don't Lottie and Gabby need to be fed?" Emma asked, moving to lay on her back.

"No. I somehow was able to produce enough milk for all four of them. Did Dr. Nolan tell you you'd be able to feed them after the infection?"

"She said if you guys heal me, I can feed them right away, but if you don't and that's fine, I can't feed them for a week."

"Let us heal you, Emma." Mal said, moving closer to the bed. "Let us heal you and you and Regina can get some sleep. Your mom is staying here with you tonight and I'll help Zelena make sure the kids are all up and ready in the morning to see you and their new siblings."

Emma nodded and put her arms to her side. "Okay, thank you." Cora, Mal, and Regina all gently healed Emma and the blonde let out a breath, feeling lighter. "Thank you. I didn't realize how much that would help." She bit her lip and looked at Cora. "Did…did that give me my uterus back?"

Cora sighed and shook her head, kissing Emma's forehead. "I'm sorry, baby girl, but I can't do that. It's not that I don't want to, because if I could I would, I just can't."

Mal gave a nod. "Magic is great, but it won't bring that back, sweets."

Emma sighed. "It's okay. Thanks, though."

Regina nudged Emma over and sat next to her. "Do you want to see the babies now? We still have to decide who is Gabby and who is Lottie. Or are we going with Charlie for Charlotte?"

Emma sat up more and ran her fingers through her hair. "I like both of them, honestly, but I think I like Lottie better."

Snow cleared her throat. "I'm going to go call your dad. You guys have some alone time and Emma, just tell me if you'd rather I go home."

Emma smiled softly held her arms out, hugging her mother tightly. "I'm sure you were scared today, mom. I don't remember any of it, but if the roles were reversed, I'd want to stay with you. Please stay."

Mary tried to hide her tears as she held her daughter. "Okay, baby girl. I'll be back."

"I'm heading out. I love you all." Mal said, kissing the babies and then the women on the cheeks.

"Bye Mal. Thank you for being here." Regina stated and then looked at her mother. "I'm not going to tell you what to do, but don't feel bad if you'd rather go home."

"I don't yet, but I'll call Zelena and give you six some time alone."

When the others left, Regina got up and brought the babies to the bed, laying two in Emma's lap and holding the other two as she got back into bed. "Christopher, Adelaide, these are your sisters and your Mama."

Emma smiled softly and softly caressed their cheeks. She then looked at the girls on her lap and let out a chuckle. "Gods, they look just like Eva and Malory did. We may need to do that special mark thing." However, when both girls opened their eyes, the women were a bit surprised. "I thought they were supposed to be identical. How does one have blue eyes and the other brown?"

Regina gave a shrug. "Magic? They're so beautiful."

Emma looked at her babies. "Looks like we got two blue and two brown eyed babies. Well, let's figure this out." She said and tried what she did with the girls. "Who wants to be Charlotte Ann?" The blue eyed one happened to move her hand. "We have a winner." Emma chuckled. "I didn't know if it would work again." She then looked at her other daughter. "Then you are Gabriella Mae." The little one let out a burp and Emma chuckled more. "Oh, you're mine alright." She looked over at Regina and frowned when she saw her tears. "Regina? Baby, what's wrong?"

Regina shook her head and wiped her tears. "Just watching you with them. Gods, Emma, I almost lost you, almost lost them. I was so scared and I couldn't do anything. I kept thinking about how I would go on if you…if you died and I couldn't. I knew I wouldn't be able to." She was crying now and Emma carefully moved the babies so they were safely on the bed and then wrapped her arms around her wife.

"Baby, you would. You'd pick yourself up for the kids, but you don't have to worry, I'm right here." She kissed her softly. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"Oh, it's not your fault, Emma. I'm just so glad you fought through." She then looked at the babies and let out a breath. "They're here. How the hell are we going to do this?" She asked, lightly laughing.

Emma smiled and gazed at her babies. "One day at a time and the best we can. That's really all we can do." She laced her fingers with Regina's. "We can do this, baby. I've been thinking, maybe we make some sort of calendar. I hate to say we're 'scheduling time for our kids' but then at least we can keep track and make sure all of them are getting their fair share of attention."

"That's a great idea. Especially Henry since he's two years from graduating. Ugh, our baby is graduating."

Emma smiled. "And I get to be here to see it. When I gave him up, I never thought I'd get those moments. I'm so lucky I found you and him and everyone."

"We're all lucky too, baby."

The next day the women took their babies home and introduced them to their siblings. The girls each took a girl and Henry took Christopher as Emma helped Oliver hold Lottie.

"They don't do much, do they Mama?" Oli asked.

"No, not yet. They eat, sleep and poop. But they'll get to be more fun soon."

Henry smiled and looked around. "We should get a picture with all us kids."

Regina smiled and nodded. "I'd love that. It'll be our Christmas card picture."

Henry, still holding Christopher stood behind a chair while the girls with Adelaide and Gabriella sat on it. Oliver held Lottie very carefully as he sat in front of the chair. They smiled for picture after picture and then Cora came in. "Okay, now the whole family."

They moved to the loveseat and Emma took Lottie on her right and Malroy sat on her left leg. Regina was next to them with Gabby on her left and Eva on her right. Henry kept Christopher and Oliver squeezed between his mothers with little Adelaide on his lap.

"Oh, this is beautiful." Cora said, taking pictures. They then took many more with the babies, with just Oliver, with the twins together and the twins apart and even with just Henry. The last one, Emma winked to Regina and just as Cora took the picture, the two mothers kissed each of his cheeks, causing everyone to laugh.

One year later

"Mama! It stinks in here!" Oliver wined as Emma changed yet another diaper.

"I know, I want to change them all and then I'll take the trash out. Or you could you know, help out and take out the trash."

Eva came over. "I'll do it." She took the bag and took it out, leaving Emma marveling over just how helpful Eva had become lately. Though she was happy for it, she couldn't help but wonder if there was a reason behind it. Regina came in to watch the babies and Emma went to find Eva.

"Honey? Can we talk?"

"Sure." Eva said with a shrug. "What's up?"

"It's just…now I'm not complaining, but I'm curious as to why you've been extra helpful lately. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate it, I just want to make sure you're okay."

Eva shrugged again and looked down. "I'm fine."

"Eva." Emma said, giving her a look. "Talk to me."

Eva sighed. "It's just that I've been thinking. Ever since Mom told us her story, I've been scared that I'll be evil. Just listen, mom, don't talk yet." She said, seeing Emma was going to say something. "I know you and mom both said that evil is made, not born, but I just…I wanna be good. I see everything you and Mom do for us all day every day and I just think it's not too much for me to help more. And, if it will keep me from being evil, that's just a bonus."

Emma smiled softly and hugged her daughter, bringing her to her lap. "Honey, I think you are good. You are so good, my Bumble bee, and Mom and I love the extra help. However, the quads aren't your responsibility and we wouldn't be mad if you didn't want to help." She caressed her baby's cheek. "Honey, all kids…hell all people sometimes do things that aren't right or aren't the rules, but that doesn't make them bad or evil. Can I tell you a secret?" Eva nodded, so Emma continued. "I love that feisty side of you. I love when you believe in something so much that you fight for it. I may not always love how you do it, but I love that you do it. I love that you are you and that you question things and don't just accept what you're told. I'm not saying I want you to be a little shit." Emma said, making Eva laugh a little. "But, I want you to be you my baby girl." She lifted Eva's chin. "You are more like me than you know and I don't want you to change. Eva, you're one of the best things that have ever come from me and I wish you were okay with yourself."

Eva blinked some tears and hugged her mother. "I love you, Mama. Thanks for saying those things."

"Emma! Get in here now! They have magic!" Regina shouted and Emma groaned, making Eva laugh.

The blonde came into the play room to find toys flying all over and babies laughing. None were walking yet, but they were crawling and climbing and in the middle of it was Regina with a long jump rope tied around her. Emma laughed harder, taking out her phone to take pictures. "You could have used your magic." She said as Eva went to untie her mother.

"I couldn't! It's like they had some force to stop me."

"That's because they're powerful like their sisters." Cora said, coming in with a chuckle. "Let's get some binding done."

The three of them bound their babies magic and let Eva and Ry practice theirs to clean up. Regina smiled at her girls, who were in those pre-teen years. "Okay girls. I think we need a serious talk. You both have done wonderfully in your lessons and have shown us you can control your magic. Mama and I talked about it last night and we're not going to bind your magic anymore."

The girls smiled and cheered and hugged each other. Emma cleared her throat. "However, if either of you use your magic to hurt others, or in ways you know are not acceptable, it's going to be bound again. Do we need to go through the list of what is and isn't acceptable?"

Ry shook her head. "No. We do that before EVERY SINGLE magic lesson."

Eva nodded. "Yeah. No turning people into bugs, no cheating in school or sports, no burning our brother." She grinned at Cora before adding. "No showing Mama we're so much better at controlling it than she is."

Emma gasped and looked at Cora. "Seriously? That's so not true." Regina chuckled and Emma shot her a look. "You too?!"

Regina came over and kissed Emma's nose. "No baby, it's just funny."

Another year later and Henry's family took up two rows in the field behind Storybrooke High School. Neal and Ruby had Rose and Amber, Maleficent and Lacey had Owen with them as Lilly was sitting in the rows with the graduating students. Zelena and Anslie had a very excited Tori, who kept waving at her cousin Henry. Mary and David had their two boys, Cora sat by Rumple and the Swan-Mills family all sat with smiles. Emma held Adelaide who had big brown eyes and blonde pigtails, Regina held Christopher, their brown eyed boy with blonde hair, Cora held Charlotte who had blue eyes with dark curly hair and Mary held Gabby with her long brown hair and brown eyes. At two, they were being rather good as they sat through all the speeches. Henry graduated top of his class and when his name was called, everyone stood and cheered for him. Lilly was next, and they all did the same for her. After the ceremony, Emma had gone to find the graduates and found them making out in an empty part of the field.

"Geez guys, can't you wait until you get home for that?"

Henry rolled his eyes. "You and Mom do it all the time."

"Me and Mom are married and old."

Henry was about to ask Emma just how old she was when she had him, but decided against it. It could be a sore subject for Emma, so he just took Lilly's hand and walked over. "Party time?"

"Party time."

Fun was had by everyone and that night, an exhausted Regina and Emma lay curled into each other. "Baby, don't cry. We still have all summer." Regina said, rubbing Emma's back.

"I know, but then he's off to UCLA. I mean, couldn't he at least have picked Boston or New York? California?! I mean that just screams 'I wanna get away from here'."

Regina sighed. "No, honey, it screams 'UCLA has the best courses for what I want to do'. You know he explained it. He wants to be a game developer and he said he'd be back."

"He says that now, but you know what will happen. He'll love it there, make friends, find better job opportunities and only come home maybe once a year out of guilt."

"Ma, that's not true." Henry sighed as he came in. He had been going to say goodnight to them, but heard his mom. He knew Emma was having a hard time with him leaving and he understood that. He sat on the bed and took Emma's hand. "Yes, there may be time I can't come home because of classes or homework, but I'll be home every Christmas and every summer."

"Unless you get a job. I don't know why you think you have to do that."

Henry sighed, he hated that he had to keep explaining, but he also hated that he was hurting his mom. He tried to blink the tears and swallow the lump in his throat. "Ma, I want to be a normal college kid. I want the part time job, the parties, the homework. However, if you're really this against it, I'll look into NYU or something."

Emma sighed, knowing that wasn't fair. She sat up more and pulled her 18 year old son into her lap. I'm sorry, Henry. I don't mean to make you feel guilty. It's just…you're my first. You're the one I almost lost. I can't…I'll try to explain it. Henry, I made the hardest choice when I put you up for adoption. I thought about everything I'd be missing out on, but then I thought of you and all the things you'd be missing out on if I didn't give you that chance. I'm sorry if it sounds selfish, but it's so hard to do that again. I know it's the right thing, I know you need to do this and I do support you, it's just hard to once again let you go. You're my first baby boy and I just…I love you so much."

Henry wiped at his eyes and pulled Regina into their cuddle session. "I get it, ma. I do get it. But please don't look at it like that. You're letting me go, for a little while, not forever. You remember how you always used to wonder if you were a good mom and if you were doing the right thing? Now it's time to test all that. It's time to believe you've done everything you could to prepare me for the big world out there and let me live in it. I can already tell you that you have, you both have. You both have been the most amazing parents I could ever have asked for, but now is my time to prove it to you. I promise that I will not move out there after I graduate, okay? I can't be that far away from my family forever. I know it's only four years and then I can come back, and I will come back. I want to see the girls graduate in five years; I want to go to Oliver's baseball games and watch the quads grow into little their destinies. I want to be here for all of that, so I will be. I've already looked, and most developer jobs can be worked at home. Besides, Lilly and I are planning on staying a couple, so I'll be back for her too. Ma, I love you so much that if you really don't want me to go, I won't."

Emma shook her head and kissed his forehead. "Go. There's great things ahead of you, Henry and I'm not going to hold you back from them. However, while we have this summer, we're going to use it as a family. I took the summer off and we're going to just be together, like we should be."

Regina smiled and kissed her wife and son. "I love you guys. I love our family and I can't wait to see what is in store for all of you. It's hard to let go, but that's part of being a parent. Henry, just know that if you need anything, you call us. No matter what. Even if you think we'll be mad at you, we are here anytime. We'll take the family out there from time to time as well, so you don't have to worry about always coming here to see us."

"Thanks, mom, and thank you both for creating this amazing family."