Regina smiles from ear to ear, completely oblivious to the action as she settles the last cupcake, that is enormous compared to the rest, on the third level of her masterpiece. It's the shape of a regular three tier cake, except each layer is decorated with mini cupcakes, besides the one that's bigger than Lennox's face on the top.
"Wow," she hears Emma's breathless gasp from behind her before she feels the warmth pressing into her back and those loving arms wrap around her midsection. "You really outshined yourself with this one, momma," her girlfriend murmurs behind her ear and then places a sweet kiss into her hair.
And like always, there is a firm kick to the right side of her stomach, right against Emma's palm. Regina's smile blooms into a manic grin because nothing compares to the way their baby kicks whenever Emma holds her close.
"Well, thank you," she sweetly says, leaning back even further into her lover's arms.
"I mean it, this thing is amazing!" Her favorite food critic ecstatically compliments, her palm subconsciously rubbing the protruding limb that's searching for attention.
Regina hums, taking a moment to admire her work as she lays her hands on top of Emma's. "Where is our daughter? It's almost time to sing."
"She's right here," Emma chuckles, caressing the little body part that's pushing right back against her hand.
"Very funny," Regina deadpans, "where is the one that hasn't been trapped inside of me for seven months."
"Ah, that one," her girlfriend laughs lightly and still to this day, that sound is music to her ears; the reverberations rattling her beating heart and pumping adrenaline full of love through her bloodstream. "She's running around with Violet and Scarlett and I believe they are hiding from Mary Margret's and Milah's boys. What are they infested with again? Oh yeah, they are dripping in cooties."
"Does Lennox even know what cooties are?" Regina incredulously inquires, peeking over her shoulder which inspires Emma to capture her lips.
It's a slow and sensual kiss, one that she has grown quite accustomed to over the years. Whenever her girlfriend kisses her, and they aren't deep in the middle of wild and crazy sex, Emma is always so delicate, like she's trying to pour all her love into that split second. Regina always assumes it's because of Emma's past, like she is trying to remind Regina of her love. Maybe because she was always deprived of love, so now she wants to make sure everyone else feels loved or maybe it's subconscious, like she's pleading to not be kicked to the curb anymore.
Regina hopes after all their years together now, Emma knows she's loved and will not be kicked out.
"Mommies!" Emma and Regina both smile with their entire face as they break apart their intimate kiss to offer their daughter their undivided attention. "Is it time for cake, yet?" She pouts, and Regina doesn't care about genetics, that is Emma's face through and through when she frowns like that.
Emma chuckles, detaching from Regina's back to scoop Lennox right now. "Perfect timing, you stinker," she laughs, tickling Lennox's side while she holds her tightly with her other hand, careful not to drop her because, of course, their daughter squirms uncontrollably.
"Momma, help!" Lennox squeals, wiggling around and giggling hysterically as she reaches for Regina.
"Emma, leave my baby alone," she scolds, but her voice is light and playful, motivating Emma to beam back at her. She holds out her hands and steals Lennox away, squeezing her tight and kissing her forehead. "Can you stop growing? You are too big now," she teases, settling Lennox onto the countertop next to the cake since it's becoming rather difficult to prop Lennox on her hip with such a swollen baby bump.
"No, momma. I want to grow bigger and taller and taller," Lennox ecstatically informs her, one hand reaching high above her head to express how tall she wants to be. "I want to go to kindergarten!"
Regina frowns, resting her forehead against Lennox's. "I can't believe you are five."
"Ugh, gross," Emma complains, her face scrunching up in disgust, producing those giggles from Lennox that are still so sweet and innocent and resemble a baby.
"I need to be bigger for my baby sister," their daughter proudly states, inspiring Emma and Regina to lock eyes and share a sappy smile. "Is she kicking?" She innocently questions, her head tilting to the side as her big green eyes blink up at Regina curiously.
"I believe she kicks when she feels you and mommy," Regina softly explains, taking Lennox's hand and gently placing it against the right side where most of the kicks generate from.
And sure enough, there is a strong kick to Lennox's palm.
"Be nice, Layla, don't hurt, momma," Lennox strictly scolds her unborn sister.
"Oh baby, it doesn't hurt," Regina vows, cupping Lennox's cheeks and guiding her curious gaze to meet her own. "I promise."
"Okay. We have cake now?" Her daughter asks once again, her finger ready to swipe up some frosting before Regina snatches her little hand.
"Keep those sneaky fingers to yourself. You're just like mommy."
Emma tosses her head back, belting out a carefree laugh at how right Regina is. She scoops Lennox off the counter and props her upon her hip. "Alright goober, lets go sing happy birthday and have some of the best cupcakes ever," she exclaims, so full of joy. "Lead the way, momma."
Regina carefully lifts her elaborate creation and slowly walks toward the dining room with Emma and Lennox right behind her.
"Regina, darling that looks so beautiful," her mother compliments as she cautiously places the cupcake tower onto the table.
"Thank you, mother," she replies, grinning so ecstatically.
She watches as Emma places Lennox onto the chair in front of the masterpiece. And she hates how mushy those two green-eyed beauties have made her, but she is a big softy when it comes to them. Emma delicately brushes Lennox's long, inky tresses over her shoulders and settles it down the middle of her back, so it doesn't fall into the frosting. And she melts all over again from how beautiful her family is.
It has officially been three and a half years since Emma moved back from Phoenix and she swore she would never leave them again. She hasn't. The longest Emma has ever stayed anywhere. Even when Regina knows Emma is internally panicking about something, and she's itching to escape, her girlfriend doesn't storm out the door anymore. Instead, she finds the courage to sit down and open up with Regina and she always reminds Emma how much that truly means to her.
Regina has been patient with Emma, trying so hard not to rush her girlfriend into a deep commitment, however, one year ago, Emma brought up the baby subject. Regina was truly shocked, considering Emma swore she never wanted children and she would only ever love Lennox. When Regina mentioned this, Emma smiled and said, she was sure she would never commit to someone and never have children, yet now she's living with Regina, raising a baby together and she couldn't be happier.
Life changes and sometimes that leads to a change in perspective, besides, everything is different with Regina. Emma was willing to do anything to make Regina smile and she knew how badly Regina wanted to carry a baby. She would give Regina one hundred babies, if it would keep that broad smile upon her beautiful face.
"Happy birthday to you," everyone sings slightly off key as Lennox stands and blows at the number five candle flickering in front of her face.
Emma and Regina each press a kiss to Lennox's cheeks as Ruby snatches a picture. A photograph that will definitely decorate one of their walls, just like every year since Lennox's first birthday.
The year they were granted a second chance together, as a family.
A/N: Thank you all for your lovely support. I hope you enjoyed this rendition of Life As We Know It. I really loved recreating this rom-com. Don't forget, your votes and comments are what keep author's inspired and motivated to keep writing. I adore all you lovely readers and I hope all of you are doing well during these hard times.