Summary: Henry returns to spend Christmas with the family, and Ruby and Dorothy finally tell everyone she's pregnant. However, in the diner, Emma and Regina share a strange experience. Only Merlin really knows what's going on...


Granny's Diner – one month later

A loud cheer went up when Henry walked into Granny's Diner, followed in by Regina, Marian, Robin and Roland. Their famed Author, the boy who'd brought back the Saviour to break the Evil Queen's first curse, had also saved the entire town from a previous Author's spell. So, it was no surprise that, having been the first among them to win a place at one of the country's most prestigious universities, Henry's progress was a regular talking point. So much so, that a fair number of them also knew about his recent travels.

"Henry Mills, will you ever stop growing?" called Granny, a rare gleam in her eye, as she climbed carefully off her stool, stumbling a little, before walking over to him (after Roland, Henry was her favourite).

"Hi Granny! Looking gorgeous as ever, I see?" he cheeked, pulling her into a hug. He followed it by, while still holding her, playfully leaning back, causing her feet to lift several inches off the ground. She shrieked, though the smile never left her face, as he put her back down again, the other diners watching. It was rare enough to see granny smile these days, let alone act like a young girl!

"I'll give you 'gorgeous' indeed, you cheeky young scamp!" she flicked her tea towel at his arm, chastising him, but still beaming up in delight. "And stop growing! You make me feel like one of the dwarves! When did you get back?"

"This morning. I went over to mum's, and dropped off all my stuff." His face took a more serious look. "She said you'd been ill? You okay now?"

"Nothing for you to worry about. Just old bones. You'll get there too one day, my lad! How long are you back?"

"Three weeks. I just back from London last night. I've been away…"

"So I hear. Your grandmother told me. I gather your mums weren't too happy you missing Thanksgiving Day?"

"Yeah," he frowned. "I was in the doghouse for that! Mum and ma were pretty upset when I told them. Still, I didn't want to miss out on the trip. I did France, Germany and spent the last week in England."

Regina appeared by his side, frowning at him as she latched onto his arm. "So, he now attempts to placate us for missing it, by bribing us when he returned!" she admonished. "He's wasted a small fortune on presents over there."

Granny gave an, albeit fake, frown of her own, "You should be ashamed of yourself, young man!"

"Don't you start! I've got twice the motherly outrage to deal with! Good job Marian understood!"

"Well go sit yourselves down, and young Sally will come take your order. I assume you'll have Granny's Big Breakfast, like last time?"

"Coronary Special? Definitely! One of the things I missed most…" The moment he said the town's nickname for her fry-up, he realised his mistake. Regina had told him about her heart attack! "Erm, sorry Granny, I meant…"

The old wolf sniggered at his discomfort. "I've known for years what you all call it, my lad!"

"Don't encourage him, Granny. I hate to think what his diet's like most of the time. If it's anything like his other mother's…"

"So, where's Rubes then, Granny?" he asked, not wanting to discuss his eating habits with his overprotective mother. "And Dot?"

"They're in the back. Ruby's taking a rest. She's been…overworking." Too early to tell them about the pregnancy till they were good and ready . "But I'll tell her you're here. She'd love to see you."

"Great. We'll go sit. Mum, when's ma due here?"

"Anytime now. She texted me. She's dropping off Hope with Hook at the docks before heading here."

"Gina, you really need to stop calling him that! He's had two hands for over a year now," Marian rebuked her as they sat down, looking down at her growing baby bulge. "And if it hadn't been for him and the Lake Nostos water, you wouldn't be pregnant! He also helped bring Robin back, remember? Plus, he's my business partner and my friend. So, play nice!"

"Fine…" she rolled her eyes like a chastised child. "But he still does that annoying fake bow and calls me 'Your Majesty' all the time! Be fair!"

Robin appeared back at their table from leaving Roland at Philip and Aurora's table at the back of the diner. "What have I missed?" However, before anyone could reply, the bell above the door rang as Emma appeared.

"Sorry I'm late, I…" then she spotted her son. "Henry!" she beamed. However, as she started walking closer, she stopped, feeling a weird pulse, from within her stomach. "Woah, what the hell was that?"

"Ma, are you all right?" Henry stood, moving forward when he saw her expression. "Is it the baby?" He wrapped a long arm around her shoulder, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. Like Regina, she was now showing her own pregnancy, now four months along.

"It's okay, kid…sorry, Henry, I just…" she juddered, a hand going to her now pulsing abdomen.

"I felt it too! I'm feeling it right now!" said Regina, hunching over. "It's definitely magic, but I don't know what, or why!"

"What's going on?" said Robin, looking at the two pregnant women, worried. "I sense something too! Are either of you in pain?"

"Not…pain exactly," said Emma, nervously, as the pulses continue to emanate from her. Regina shared a worried look. Why the hell were they both affected! Was it because of their magic? "Emma, please come sit beside me?" she raised a hand to her, her voice almost pleading. Emma didn't hesitate, also feeling drawn to the former mayor. Despite only just acknowledging Henry after he'd been away three months, she seemed almost as desperate to reach Regina as Regina was to have her beside her. So much so, she virtually stumbled over Marian's legs in her rush to get there, plonking herself down beside Regina and holding her hand tightly. The moment they connected, they both felt a surge of magic wash up their arms, to the entwined fingers. They both turned in an instant, staring at each other.

"What the hell's going on?" said Emma.

Not knowing quite what had happened, but seeing his startled mothers now holding hands anxiously, Henry asked "Are you two okay?"

Robin, now right opposite them at the table, leaned across. "I sense magic too. Miladies, may I?" His bewildered family looked on as he leaned even further over, his stomach and chest nearly resting on the table, to gently put his left hand on the side of Regina's abdomen. "Emma, can I check you too?"

Too confused to disagree, she nodded, "I keep forgetting you've got magic!" Ignoring the comment, he rested his right hand to the top of her bump as well.

"I can feel it - it's magic from the babies, alright! It seemed to start when Emma came over. I think the babies might be picking up on each other's magic." He stood up again. "Speaking of Merlin, I think we should call him at the convent! He'll know for certain."

"Merlin? He's back yet again? Jeez, I'm supposed to be the sheriff around here! How come everyone else knows what's going on before I do?"

"You forget, his daughter's a friend of mine. She told me he was coming here last week. Some business with Jefferson, apparently."

Marian wasn't listening, her eyes too focused on the entwined fingers in front of her. And the fact Emma was sitting so close to her wife, they were almost on each other's laps! "What the hell's going on? "You two feeling better? Perhaps you need some time together? On your own?"

Hearing Marian's harder tone, Regina noticed what she was staring at. "Um, no…" she released Emma's fingers. "I'm fine." Emma also seemed to cotton on as she tried to, as inconspicuously as possible, to move a couple inches further away from her friend. Although, weirdly, she felt so much more comfortable the closer she was to Regina.

"Robin, I think you're right about Merlin." Marian's eyes never left them. "I'll call him…"


The orders were placed, and the food and drinks arrived, though Emma never left Regina's side, as the weird magical pulses from them continued. The focus turned to Henry and his trip as he told them about all the places he'd visited. While his mothers were, sort of, interested, they were far more interested in his current romantic situation with the girl they'd met at Ruby and Dorothy's wedding! He was as evasive as usual, instead asking them about their pregnancies to distract them from his love life yet again.

"It's all a bit of a weird coincidence, isn't it, you two getting pregnant within weeks of each other? Even more so, as you're both in your fortie-" Regina's irritated glare made him stop short! "Erm, so, what am I getting? Brothers, sisters, both?"

"Close save, Hen!" said Emma, knowing exactly what he was about to say. Even the damn clinic kept calling them 'geriatric' pregnancies! "Killian and I don't want to know. We want to have a surprise."

"As do we…" Regina added, looking over to Robin as he nodded. However, she noticed Marian wasn't even listening. She was just frowning, clearly annoyed about something she was staring at. She followed her gaze and realised she was looking directly at her and Emma's once-again entwined fingers. She'd completely forgotten they'd been holding hands, as she instantly released her, standing up. "Excuse me boys, can you let me out? I need the bathroom. This little one keeps pressing down on my bladder!"

As she moved out of the bench, an odd and instant feeling of loss overcame Emma. "I'll come too. Back in a minute." She quickly caught up with Regina, and they walked into the Ladies bathroom together, leaving Marian even more annoyed.

A few minutes later they reappeared, walking together arm-in-arm, clearly chuckling about something. The normally calm, collected Marian, was furious. She'd had enough! She stood up to face them just as they reached the table.

"What's going on with you two?" she demanded of Regina, Robin now standing up to let them into their seats.

"I'm sorry?"

"You two! Arm-in-arm? Holding hands?" her voice was rising as she pointed at them, several other diners looking across. "You've been doing it since she arrived! She was almost sitting on your damn lap most of the lunch, and you've been holding hands, on top and under the table! Don't think I didn't spot that. What's going on between you two?" she demanded.

"Marian?" the pair separated. Henry was starting to feel seriously uncomfortable. "This isn't like you! What are you getting at? We're friends!"

"Bullshit - there's more to it than that! Ever since she arrived, you've been pawing each other like crazy. She's hardly looked at Henry, since she came in!"

As Regina was about to protest, Henry intervened. "Marian's not imagining things. You do both seem…unbelievably close today, mums!" she looked across at Robin for support, He nodded in agreement.

"Marian," it was Emma's turn to try and calm her as she separated from Regina. "There's nothing going on! It's just-" However, they were distracted by the loud bell above the diner door as Merlin walked in, followed by Jefferson Hatter.

"Hello everyone, lovely to see you all again! Henry, nice to see you back. Grace told me this morning you were here, and about your trip. How did it go?"

His interruption prevented an ugly moment, as he went on to shake hands with all of them, slapping Henry's back. Marian was still staring daggers at Emma, a look which made her very uncomfortable. She wanted to just take her jacket and just get out of there, but it was lying behind where she'd been sitting. And her wallet and car keys were in there too! However, before she got a chance to grab them, Merlin took her hand, looking down at her baby bulge.

"My, you and Regina look most splendid! Positively blooming, I must say! Pregnancy clearly looks good on you both. Now…Marian rang me to say there was a problem?"

"Problem?" Regina felt embarrassed, looking down. "Oh no…no problem."

"Not a 'problem' exactly," Robin jumped in. "Just a concern. When Emma arrived, they both seemed to be kicking out magic, without meaning to. Even I felt it! I checked but…from what you taught me, it didn't seem to belong to either of them. If it was their babies, it wouldn't be this strong, surely?"

Merlin's brow raised, as he turned, facing the two pregnant women. "Mmm. May I?" He passed his right hand over the top of Emma's baby-bump, stretching to do the same thing to Regina's, without actually touching them. "Ooh, my goodness. You're right Robin, it is strong! They're talking..."

"Eh?" gasped Regina. "That's impossible! How can they be talking, when they haven't been taught...well, anything?"

"I should have been more specific. Their magic is 'talking', not the babies themselves! You remember when we last met at Mr. Locksley's splendid new inn? I told you that their magic was reaching out to find other magic. Experimenting. Well it's become stronger since then. There's no danger or risk involved for you, or the babies, though again I recommend you not use your own magic for the moment. Any other symptoms?"

"Not really," said Emma. "It's been much easier than when I carried Henry. I haven't even felt morning sickness."

But Marian cut right across her, staring hard at Regina. "Yes, actually - these two have been acting weird! They've been clamped together like Siamese twins, since she first walked in here. I know they're best mates and all, but…they've even been holding hands under the table all through lunch!"

"Interesting. Ladies, I only scanned you; may I actually place a hand on each of you, please?" Regina nodded. Where the hell was he going with this? As his hands rested lightly on their lower stomachs, he clearly felt something that they hadn't! "Gracious me, how surprising!" he muttered to himself, a smile creeping onto his lips.

"What's surprising?" asked a worried Robin, to a clearly astonished Sorcerer. "What's wrong?"

"Oh…er…there's nothing wrong, per se. In fact, if I'm reading this correct, it could be...good news!"

"Well don't leave us in the dark!" growled Regina. "What is it? What've you found?"

"Well, I..." Merlin hesitated. "I think I may have said too much already. I'm afraid I can't really tell you without risking changing the future! Sorry. But I can reassure you that it's nothing to be concerned about. Their magic has merely reached out, making them aware of each other. Marian, as regards the ladies' hand-holding, and close contact, I believe their unborn children are, in a way, controlling or influencing them when they're in close proximity to one another."

"So what're you saying?" Marian was intrigued. "The babies are pulling them together?"

"Quite so! Although again, their magic is pulling them together. It's exchanging information so they can connect. A little like magnets. Not just with each other, but those around them who have magic. It's fair to say that, as they grow, these two children will probably play an important role in each other's lives."

"So what do we do about it?"

"There's nothing to do. When they're a distance away from each other, the magical searching will stop. And of course, once they're born, the magic settles down and remains dormant until activated later in their lives. Like Roland's."

Emma's superpower was twitching. "I know you're telling us the truth, but - you're holding something back, aren't you? Something you're not telling us! I can sense it."

"You're right, Emma, but as I said earlier, if I told you, it could alter your future. And I assure you, we really don't want to do that. So, my lips are sealed."


A few minutes later, as they all stood to leave, Dorothy walked out from the back parlour, Ruby joining her. "Hi guys! Good, I'm glad you haven't left yet! I'm sorry we didn't come out earlier to say hello, but Ruby was feeling a little unwell."

"Sorry to hear that," said Robin looking over at the unusually coy waitress, who seemed a little flushed. "Nothing serious, I trust?"

"No, not really," said Dorothy. "Nothing that won't be fixed in due course. We wanted to come out before you left, because we're going to be making an announcement today that I wanted you to know about. I'm pregnant!"

"Really?" Marian was the first over to her. "Ruby, that's wonderful! Congratulations, to both of you." She took her in her arms, hugging her, before turning to do the same to Dorothy. The rest of the family all came over to congratulate them, Emma being the last.

"Brilliant news, Rubes. Have you told my mum yet?"

"Yeah, Snow and David knew a couple of months ago."

"Two months?" said Regina, standing close by. "So, Snow can keep a secret when she wants to?"

Emma rolled her eyes at the barb. Oh, let it go, Regina! "I thought you said you couldn't get a donor? That the woman who runs it wasn't helping?"

"That bitch? Yeah, don't get me started! That's true, but we found someone in the end." I wonder what you'll be like when you find out it's your dad? Not looking forward to that little talk!

Emma grinned, lowering her voice. "So, you used the old turkey-baster-at-home method instead, did you? Can't say I blame you."

"Erm…" Ruby knew the Saviour could always pick up on a lie! "Whatever works, right?"

"Well good for you. Looks like between you, me and Regina, we'll be fighting over available babysitters!" She looked across at Marian, who still looked thoroughly pissed off. "I'd best get going. Hank and I are interviewing for more deputies for when I'm off work. We're already stretched as it is! I was going to ask you if you were interested in applying, but..." she looked at the tiniest hint of a bump on the wolf. "...after what you just told me, I guess not."

"Sorry. Have you talked to your dad? Don't tell him I said so but…from what I've seen of him, David's getting a bit bored running that farm. Needs more of a challenge. He might be up for it?"

"Dad? I thought he was happy being a shepherd?" She realised she hadn't actually spoken to her father for a few weeks. She'd called in a month ago, and had coffee with Snow, but hadn't seen him. She seemed to remember him texting her, but she'd always been too busy. "You've seen him?"

"Last week. And the week before. And Dorothy goes jogging with him now twice a week. I'd go running too, but…" she looked down at her stomach. "Best not. He said he's been trying to reach you, but he knows you're busy. It's good to see him back on his feet, after the pneumonia."

"Pneumonia?" Shit, she really hadn't been keeping in touch! "I didn't realise…"

"That he was seriously ill? Emma, don't you ever call him? Hell, he was laid up in bed for an entire week! Your mum had to get Victor over, as he was too weak to travel. He only got back on his feet last Monday!

"But…why didn't he say something? Or mum?"

"He didn't want you catching it, especially you being pregnant! He told me off when I went over there, cos he knew I was expecting too, and worried I'd get it. He said he sent you messages?"

"Yeah, he did, but I guess I didn't read them properly. I'll go over there tonight."

"Take chocolates to say you're sorry. He prefers the Swiss bars Dougie sells. Dark, not milk chocolate."

How horrible was she? How self-centred she couldn't even call her own dad back? Or even a proper message, or send flowers? The man who saved her life. Ill with pneumonia? Was she really so busy these days, she couldn't even spare him a call? And had she really seen her mother recently? Surely she would have said something to me? Since when did I become an inconsiderate shit?

"I'll get over there today."

Ruby frowned. "You seriously had no idea David was ill, did you?"

"No. They should have called! If I'd known-"

"Well he tried to call you, didn't he? And remember that row you had with your mum before Regina's wedding? Snow told you she was going to leave you to call her in future, because you said you hated being pestered and fussed over! Perhaps time to step up, Emma, and be a daughter?"

"That's hardly fair, Rubes. I'm feeling guilty enough, as it is! And this isn't the first time you've lectured me on how I treat my own parents!"

The wolf realised she'd gone too far. "I'm sorry. It's probably because I envy you! Emma, I don't have any parents, but you've got the best mum and dad I've ever known. And everyone knows about Snow, but your dad's an unsung hero too. He saved my life when you and your mum wound up in the Enchanted Forest. When Spencer tried to frame me for Billy's murder, most of the town were out for my blood. Even I thought I'd done it! David was the only one who somehow knew I was innocent and stopped them. You're so lucky to have him!"

"All right, all right, I get it! I'll go over there now. I'll pick up something on the way…"


Even as they left the diner, the moment Emma walked to her truck, passing within a few yards of Regina climbing into the front passenger seat of her own car, Emma once again felt another weird surge of magic from within. A pulling sensation, making her want to climb in and get close to her best friend. Regina looked up out of the window at her, the same look of surprise on her face, as she was clearly feeling it too!

"Merlin, what the hell's going on?"