The OUAT Girls
Previously on The OUAT Girls.
"Good morning!" Emma bent down to kiss Regina's lips. "Good morning, my beautiful wife."
"Good morning, my love."
Emma got on her knees in front of Regina, put her hand on Regina's swollen belly, and kissed it. "Good morning, Ma's little princess. I can't wait to see you today. Not much longer until you get to be with us."
Regina shook her head. "You do know that she won't be here for another two months, right?"
"Actually, less than that since you're having a c-section at thirty-nine weeks. I know, but I can't help it. I'm so anxious for her to get here. It's been so long since Henry, you know."
Regina placed a hand on top of Emma's. "I know. I miss Henry being little, and I'm so happy that I finally get a chance of being pregnant again; hopefully, I won't deliver a stillborn this time."
The brunette couldn't hold back the tears.
"Oh, Regina."
Snow, Cora, and Emma got up to embrace the expectant mother as she let the tears flow.
"Doctor Fabin, you need to come to Ultrasound Room One immediately."
Regina and Emma looked at each other with concerned expressions.
"What is going on?" Emma couldn't take it anymore; then, Dixie hung up the phone.
Dixie answered, "Emma, something is wrong with the placenta and the baby's lungs. The lungs are underdeveloped at this time than what they should. When Dr. Fabin gets here, she will explain more."
The female doctor walked in and smiled. "Hello, Regina, Emma, what's seems to be going on?"
"Take a look at the ultrasound, Amy. Do you see there and here?"
Amy nodded her head. "Alright, Regina, why don't you sit up after Penny prints out the photos, clean yourself off, and I will see you in Exam Room Nine. We will continue the exam and discussion there."
"It's happening all over again."
"Regina, no, it's not."
"Yes, it is, Emma! You weren't there when I was pregnant with Celine! The placenta was thin, and the lungs were underdeveloped. I was on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy! When I went into labor, it was too much for Celine. She went into cardiac arrest and died while I pushed her out! It's happening all over again! There will be no baby, Emma! We will deliver another stillborn!"
"Not on my watch," Dr. Fabin walked in, pulled up a chair, looked at both concerned mothers, and explained, "Regina, I wasn't around when you had your first. If I were, that baby would be here today. What should have happened then, I'm doing today. You're not going home. I'm admitting you because your placenta is so thin that one wrong turn and it will rupture. I want to keep an eye on you. If tomorrow, nothing changes, we are doing an emergency c-section. The heart is fine, so we won't have any problems with that. Don't worry, Regina, you and the baby will be taken care of. I promise you."
"Mom!" Regina reached out to Cora. Cora took her daughter's hand in hers and kissed it. "My baby's having a baby. I'm so happy. It's going to happy this time, kitten."
"Mom, how do you know that? It's Deja Vous all over again!"
"Regina Katherine, you were not raised to give up hope! Now, picture it, Storybrooke 1979. I was nine months pregnant and in labor with you. The doctor told me that the placenta was so thin that a sewing needle could rupture it, and you were in distress. I was so scared that I was going to lose you, but I never gave up hope. I prayed, your father prayed; even the doctor prayed that you were going to make it through. They did a c-section to get you out, and when I heard you cry, I thanked God for giving me you. Not a day goes by that I pray that this baby will make it so that I can see you happy and want to have another baby after this one. This little angel is giving you a second chance. Don't lose faith before she gets here. I didn't give up on you. Don't give up on her."
Regina smiled, and more tears poured from her face. "I love you, Mom!"
Cora kissed Regina's forehead. Emma was now in tears. "Would it be too much if I asked for a group hug?"
"Oh, no," Snow replied, "That's what we're here for."
The women embraced then shared some laughter.
"This reminds me of a time back in the Enchanted Forest."
"Shut up, Snow!"
"Contractions started. Oh, baby girl, it will be alright. I promise."
Dixie walked in and checked the monitors. Regina woke up to a sharp pain gasping to breathe through it. Dixie and Emma watched as a puddle formed between Regina's legs. Dixie ran to the phone, dialed a number, and picked up the receiver.
"Dr. Fabin, Regina's water just broke, and she's having contractions."
Regina took Emma's hand and squeezed it. "Emma, I'm scared."
"Me, too, babe. Listen, Dr. Fabin will make sure everything is alright."
Episode 10 Oh Baby! Part 2 Season 1 Finale
-Storybrooke General Maternity Ward 4:00 a.m.-
Dr. Fabin walked into the room and immediately checked the monitors then Regina.
"When the anesthesiologist comes to give you the epidural, we will bring you to the OR for the c-section. I'm not waiting any longer to see if you will have a natural birth. I want this baby living and crying when she's born."
Regina and Emma smiled weakly as the doctor left.
"Emma."
"I know. It's happening."
"Start praying."
"Regina, I already have."
The anesthesiologist walked in, and Regina couldn't help but look at the guy's name tag; Jesus.
"I already know what you are looking at," the man said, "My name is pronounced Yeesu. I have no relation to my Lord and Savior."
The women smiled, and Emma decided to question. "Your accent, where are you from?"
"I am from the Yana Village in Karnataka, India. I moved to the United States eight years ago for my studies. Now, Regina, if you could sit up and face your wife, I will give you the magic juice."
Regina sat up, turned to where her legs were hanging off the bed facing Emma. The brunette tried to relax as Emma rested her head on top of hers.
"Just breathe, babe."
Regina felt the stick and heard the pop meaning it worked.
"Alright, my job is done. Good luck with your delivery, and congratulations."
Emma replied, "Thank you, and good luck with your studies."
"You two will make amazing parents. That baby is lucky to have you."
Jesus left, and the two women smiled at his last comment. Dixie walked in with some other nurses already dressed in their surgical attire.
"Ready, mommy?"
Regina took a deep breath in then exhaled. "Yes, I am."
-Storybrooke General OR-
The male nurses successfully loaded Regina onto the operating table. Emma walked in wearing the same surgical attire as the doctor and nurses with a mask covering her nose and mouth. The nurses set up the blue screen to where Regina and Emma couldn't see what was going on, and Dixie was finishing hooking Regina up to the monitors then controlled the epidural drip.
"Alright, Regina, can you feel this?" Doctor Fabin asked as she was poking Regina with the sharp end of the scalpel in the place she was going to cut.
"Feel what?"
"Showtime."
The doctor started the procedure, and Regina's nerves kicked into overdrive.
"Emma."
Emma looked down at her wife. "Yeah?"
"It's happening."
Regina could tell that Emma was smiling behind the mask when she replied. "It's happening. I love you."
Regina returned the smile. "I love you, too."
"Alright, Regina, you're going to feel pressure because I will be reaching in to get the baby."
Before Regina could say anything, she felt the pressure, and she attempted to breathe. Emma caressed Regina's face with a gloved thumb. It didn't take long because the doctor pulled gently, and the pressure was gone.
"And your baby girl is here! She's moving!"
Emma looked over the curtain. "She is quite the wiggle worm, babe!"
Regina listened, and no crying. "Emma, she's not crying."
"Give her a little time, babe. She's working on it."
After Dr. Fabin cleaned out the baby's mouth and nose, the tiny infant let out a cough then a faint cry. Regina broke down into tears, and Emma bent down, pulled up the mask, and gave Regina an upside kiss to her lips. The nurses weighed her and cleaned her. Dixie took the baby over to the mothers.
"Look, mommy," Dixie said, showing the two-pound baby to her mothers.
"Hey, baby girl, it's Ma! We've been waiting for you." Emma reached out to gently rub the tiny cheek of their newborn daughter.
Regina smiled. "Hey, my love, it's Mommy. I've been waiting for you for so long. I love you so much."
The NICU nurse took Katherine from Dixie and began hooking her up with an IV, oxygen, and covering her so the lights wouldn't hurt her developing eyes. Dixie looked at Emma.
"Amy is going to stitch Regina up then send her to Recovery. You are more than welcome to follow Angie to the NICU to see where Katherine is going to be."
"I would like that."
"Emma."
The blonde looked down at her wife, who was still lying on the operating table. She went up to her, lifted her mask, and kissed her.
"I will be waiting for you back at the room after seeing where Katherine will be in the NICU. Okay?"
Regina nodded, and Emma followed Angie out the room.
* * * * *THE OUAT GIRLS* * * * *
-Storybrooke General NICU 9:00 a.m.-
Emma peaked into the window of the room where Katherine was resting. The new mother beamed with pride that her daughter was alive and, on her way, to get strong enough to go home.
Ding!
Emma looked down at her cellphone to see that she received a message from Snow saying they arrived. She turned around and walked to the elevator to meet her mother-in-law and roommate.
"Emma! Congratulations!"
Snow and Emma hugged. "Thank you, Snow. We were worried, but little Katherine Grace is here, and we love her to pieces."
"Come here, kiddo!" Cora said as she opened her arms to accept her daughter-in-law for an embrace. "Where's my granddaughter?"
"Come, I'll show you."
Emma led the way to the NICU to Katherine's window. When the women reached the window, Cora was in tears.
"Cora, are you alright?"
"She's beautiful."
Emma hugged her, and Snow smiled at the tiny infant. "She's so tiny. How much did she way?"
"Two pounds six ounces."
"I think she's adorable. You know this reminds me of my cousin Hans."
Cora interrupted, "Snow, I would like to admire my granddaughter in peace. Save the story for when Katherine comes home, and you can tell it to her."
Snow nodded her head with a smile on her face. Katherine's nurse, Angie, walked into the room and waved at Emma. Emma waved back at her, then Angie moved Katherine's setup toward the window as much as the cords and wires would allow her.
Cora began asking questions. "Why is she covered with so many wires?"
"Well, she's hooked up to a ventilator helping her breathe since her lungs are underdeveloped. She has an IV, some heated booties and mittens to keep her warm, the lights on her because she had jaundice…"
"Her eyes are covered."
"Yes, Cora, because her little eyes are still sensitive to the bright light."
Emma waved thank you to Angie then began leading the way to Regina's room.
* * * * *THE OUAT GIRLS* * * * *
-Storybrooke General Maternity Ward Regina's Room-
Regina was sleeping when Emma walked in with Snow and Cora. The blonde walked up to the bed and kissed her wife's forehead. Regina slowly opened her eyes.
"Mom, Snow, when did you get here?" She reached out for her mother and roommate's hands.
"We got here about thirty minutes ago, kitten. How are you feeling?"
Regina smiled. "I'm so happy. Katherine is here, and I heard her tiny voice. It was perfect."
"Oh, Regina," Snow hugged Regina. "She is a beautiful baby."
"You got to see her?"
"Emma took us," Cora said then turned to smile at Emma. "She is one proud momma of her baby girl. Regina, I don't say it enough, but I'm proud of you. After hurting for over twenty years of the loss of Celine, you met your soul mate and had a baby together, a baby that is surviving and is a fighter! I love you, kitten."
Regina kissed her mother's hand. "I love you, too, Mom."
"Babe."
Regina looked up at Emma, and the blonde asked, "Do you want to go see her?"
"Yes."
Emma walked out of the room to find a nurse for a wheelchair. Snow looked at Cora, and the older woman nodded.
"Regina, Cora, and I are going to go so you and Emma can be with Katherine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, kitten, we will see you later."
They said their good-byes and Emma wheeled in the wheelchair.
"You two are leaving?"
"Yes," Cora said then hugged, Emma. "Take care of my daughter and granddaughter."
"You know, I will."
They broke the embrace, then Emma wheeled the chair up to the bed and locked it.
"Alright, babe, easy now."
Regina carefully shifted herself to a sitting position at the side of the bed facing the wheelchair.
"Ready?"
Regina nodded, and Emma took her arm. Regina stood and winced.
"Damn, I didn't know it would pull that much when I'd stand. Now I understand how you felt after your hysterectomy."
Regina carefully turned to sit in the chair, and Emma unlocked the brakes then wheeled her out the room to the NICU.
* * * * *THE OUAT GIRLS* * * * *
-Storybrooke General NICU-
Emma and Regina arrived at the door, and Emma pushed the button. It was Angie that answered.
"NICU, this is Angie."
"Angie, it's Emma and Regina Swan-Mills. We would like to see Katherine."
Buzz.
Emma opened the door and wheeled Regina inside. Angie smiled as we entered the NICU. She pointed to the handwashing station. Emma wheeled Regina over to the sink, locked the wheels. Regina carefully stood, washed her hand, and dried them. Emma washed her hands, dried them, and wheeled Regina to Katherine's room with Angie following.
"She's doing so well, moms. Her body has accepted the ventilator for help, which is huge! She responds to whoever talks to her. I can't wait to see how she reacts to the both of you."
The women arrived in the dimly lit room, and Regina was taking it all in. Her daughter was lying in an enclosed bed hooked up to so many monitors and two different machines. Emma locked the wheels, and Regina stood up to see her baby girl. She slid her hand in one of the gloves to touch the tiny baby.
"Hi, my darling. It's Mommy."
The tiny baby lifted one of her arms, and it made Regina and Emma smile. Emma walked to the other side and slid her hand in one of the gloves to touch her daughter.
"Hi, kiddo, it's Ma."
Katherine opened her mouth, then closed it.
Regina smiled and started talking again. "Do you hear Ma? We love you so much, Katherine. We can't wait until you're strong enough to come home."
"We love you, kid. You're strong like Mommy and me. You'll be home with us in no time."
"Emma."
Emma looked at Regina to see her smiling.
"Our little family."
Emma smiled. "Our little family."
"I love you."
"Love you, too."
After smiling at each other, they returned their gaze to their baby, thinking of when they get to be together at home.
END OF SEASON 1