Summary:The big day has arrived for Regina, even if it's two weeks too soon!

Meanwhile, Emma has a surprise of her own...


Storybrooke Maternity Unit

It was a delivery straight out of the textbooks. Despite lots of screaming during the final stages, including yelling out threats to introduce Robin's private parts to a scalpel, and a myriad range of, to Robin, quite inspired expletives fired at anyone and everyone, a puce-faced, sweaty and exhausted Regina made the final push to deliver her child.

"Aaaaaand…here we go! We have ourselves a baby!" said Doctor Hilary from behind the small screen mounted over her midriff. "Well done, Regina! Now take a breath and rest up." The doctor turned towards the nurse beside her. "We'll take it from here..."

"God, that was painful!' she gasped, taking in huge gulps of air, as Robin and Marian held her hands either side, Robin kissing her forehead.

"You've got a gorgeous baby girl, Locksley family! Congratulations to all of you! Now, just give us a few moments, while Penny checks her airways, and everything else, while I clean you up down here. Regina, I'm just going to give you a little injection, as you've torn and I need to give you a couple of stitches. All very common…"

"A girl?" Regina cried in happiness, sounding like a young excited girl, rather than a formidable queen. "We've got a girl!"

"I told you..." Robin tried not to sound too smug, as two pairs of brown eyes looked up at him. "My little lady outlaw! Or princess, whichever you prefer. I'm so proud of you, my love."

"Is everything okay down there?" Regina started to panic, as she realised her baby wasn't making any noise. "Doctor, may I hold my daughter please?" the new mother begged, as nurse and doctor stooped over the bundle, working silently. "Hilary? Nurse?"

"Just give me another moment!" said the nurse, occupied. After a few seconds that felt like hours, a small cry finally came. "Everything's good, Regina," she turned around to face her. "See?" she leaned over the bed, presenting their daughter to them for the first time. "Marian, you were going to cut the umbilical?" She nodded and the nurse handed her some scissors. After carefully cutting the cord, a small clamp was placed on it, and finally the new baby raised up to her birth mother, Nurse Penny resting her in Regina's arms.

"Oh. My. Goodness." The words left Regina in a whimper, as she gazed upon her daughter, the baby she was never destined to have, for the first time. She instantly fell in love. "You are so beautiful my angel. Hello, little one, I'm your mummy!" As if she'd recognised her voice, the baby's eyes slowly opened.

"Blue, just like her daddy's." gasped Marian, stroking a tiny cheek.

"All babies eyes are blue to begin with," said Robin. "Roland's were, you remember? I think they'll go brown, just like you two. She's definitely going to have your lovely dark hair... "

"Perhaps," agreed Regina. "She's got your dimples though!"

He smiled, a tear sliding down his cheek as he leaned closer to her. "Hello, little one, we've been waiting for you!" At the sound of his deeper voice, the baby's eyes widened, and her brow wrinkled, and for a moment she seemed to stare right into his soul, her mouth widening and appearing to smile.

"Typical - she's a daddy's girl already!" breathed Marian, wiping her own tear away.

"Too damn right!" he grinned like a Cheshire cat. "And she always will be!"

In a delivery room further along the corridor, Snow White burst through the door, almost sending a nurse carrying a tray, flying in her rush. "Emma! What's happening?" she rushed to her bedside, Killian, on the other side of the cot, was completely oblivious to her.

"Hi mum. It's okay! My waters broke in the car park, and I've gone into premature labour."

"Already? But you're not due until-"

"She's four weeks early, Mrs. Nolan, there's nothing to worry out…" said Nurse Rosemary, desperate to calm her and not make the expectant mother any more anxious than she already was.

"Four weeks? But that's way too early!"

"It's nothing these days, I assure you! It sometimes means the baby needs to be kept in a special incubator for a few days, or even a week, but everything is fine. It has a good strong heartbeat, and everything seems normal."

"I'm fine mum, honest! If you're here, where's Hope?"

"Your father's looking after her, along with Margot. He's teaching her to bake biscuits and making a right mess of my kitchen! When do you expect to deliver? Has a doctor been in yet? Should I-"

"All in hand, Snow!" Killian finally spoke up. "With the greatest respect, you need to calm down! You're making Emma edgy. Everything's under control."

She finally looked up at him, noticing him for the first time and realised he may be right. "Erm, sorry. I just got anxious when you texted David. I didn't know what to think…"

"Take a breath, mum. They reckon I've got a good few hours to go at least. Perhaps you could go find out how Regina's getting on? She's just down the corridor and she was in here all night. I went in there this morning and she was just starting labour."

"Goodness, in all the rush I'd completely forgotten she was already here, too!"

"Well that is why you're looking after Robin's daughter. Or at least, dad is!"

"You're talking about Regina?" Rosemary interrupted them. "Her Majesty gave birth over an hour ago."

"She did?" Emma's eyes lit up. "Is everything okay? What did she have?"

"A girl. She's sleeping at the moment, poor thing. I'll tell her you're here when she's awake. She'll be spending the night here..."

"A girl?" gasped Snow, remembering just how much Regina had sacrificed, to stop Cora using a child of hers for her own ambitions. "How wonderful!"

"Go see her mum? Check on her for me, please?" Plus, I can tell you're definitely starting to piss off Killian and get me all worked up while you're at it! "I'm going to be in here a while, after all!"

"Oh, right…well, okay. But I'll be back for the birth! I'll be right here…"

Rosemary saw the despairing, irritated look Killian gave Emma. She remembered when Emma had given birth to Hope, Snow had insisted on staying beside her, holding her hand throughout, despite her husband being there. And also, she'd been panicking throughout, and had definitely made Emma more stressed than necessary!

"Actually, there's no need, Mrs. Nolan! Mr. Jones here will be right beside her throughout. And let's face it, it's always far better to have your own partner keeping you calm at a time like this, wouldn't you agree?"

"Oh. Well," she looked up as her daughter nodded. "I guess so. Emma, is that what you really want?"

"She'll be fine with me, love!" Killian said, firmly, more as an instruction. "You take care of your family. I'm not going anywhere!"

After leaving Emma, Snow texted David to let him know what was happening, then walked down the corridor to ask a nurse where Regina was. Finding the room, she opened the door to find Robin standing over a seated Marian, who held a tiny bundle in her arms. Next to them, Regina was fast asleep. "Sorry, hope I'm not disturbing?" she whispered.

Marian looked up. "Hi! Come on in..." she mouthed silently, smiling, clearly tired, as Snow moved over to them.

The baby girl was swaddled in thick cotton, but her face and cheeks poked out. "Aw, she's so beautiful!" she whispered, keen to avoid waking Regina up. "Congratulations! She looks the spit of her mother…"

"Thanks. I'm surprised you're here? We haven't told anyone yet."

"Well I hadn't heard anything. I'm here because Emma's been readmitted. She was in earlier, but Killian said her waters broke in the car park outside. I've just seen her, and she's gone into labour. A few hours, they reckon."

Emma had just gone through another contraction, when Snow poked her head through the door. "Me again!" Emma saw Killian sigh, rolling his eyes. Jeezus, mum, not again? Killian, please don't lose your temper with her? "I brought you a couple of visitors."

"Mum, I hardly think now's the time to-" Emma looked up, more than surprised to see Marian Locksley walking in just behind her, Snow holding the door open as she appeared to be holding something in her arms.

"Emma, sorry to disturb you," she looked around, seeing no nurse. "I know you're busy, and I'll leave in a moment. Gina's asleep, and Robin's looking out for her, but as your mum said you were in here, I thought I'd like to introduce you to someone very special!" she said, proudly.

"Oh, Killian look!" gasped the Saviour, her own problems temporarily forgotten, as the brunette brought a tiny sleeping baby closer to the free side of the bed opposite Killian. "Marian, she's stunning! I'd love to give her a hug right now, but if a contraction kicks in and I might squeeze her!" As she spoke, the tiny girl opened her eyes to see where all the noise was coming from. Although much reduced from before, she could already feel magic emanating from her own belly at the sight. "Could you lean her over so I can at least give her a little kiss?"

Marian smiled, leaning her in. "Hello, beautiful…" the moment Emma's lips touched the baby's cheek, she felt a strong fizz, a burst of magic, which seemed to shoot up from her lips, through her entire body and down to her own groin, making her jerk, starting, like a rabbit.

"You felt something didn't you? Magic, am I right?" Emma nodded, pressing her fingers to her lips. "Merlin said you might! Well, you'll have all this yourselves in a few hours, won't you, so I'll leave you for now; but we're just down the corridor. Good luck, both of you. Kill, take good care of her…"

"Always, love. My congratulations. You've got a fine looking princess there, Marian. I'll be in for my own cuddle with her in due course."

Just because she'd given birth twice before, it didn't feel any less painful. She'd been restless between contractions, used the borrowed TENS machine belt strapped to her sides to help with the pain, and got massaged by her husband throughout. But she still cursed and swore like one of Killian's saltiest pirate crew. Finally, when the agonising cramp hit her feet, she'd had enough, climbing off the bed to stand up.

"Ah, thank god!" she groaned with relief, lifting herself on the balls of her feet, splaying her aching toes. "I'll just stay like this…"

That's when Rosemary walked back into the room and saw what she was doing. "You've got cramp?" she nodded back. "Well let's get you back on the bed, and perhaps your husband can massage your feet while we work?"

"Not yet, that was too bloody painful! Can't I just stay standing?"

"Well…it's not procedure and you're getting close to delivery! But..." she saw the agonized look on her face. "Hang on, I'll go get Doctor Hilary; see what she thinks. Push the buzzer if anything happens, yeah?" With that, she darted out the room, Killian moving to her side at once.

"Kill, I really don't want to get back on that cot. My back! It's so fucking painful! And this thing…" she tore off the velcro from the TENS machine, "…is, to use your words, doing 'bugger all' for me!"

"Whatever you feel's best love! Tell us what you need. But if the baby's health's at stake…"

"I can't do this Kill," she wept. "It's really painful down there! My back's murder. Maybe it's not too late for a Caesar..."

The double doors burst open again, as Rosemary returned followed in by Doctor Hilary and, surprisingly, Doctor Whale. "Emma," said Hilary, "Is the pain getting too much? It's very close now but, maybe we can give you some meds to ease it. It's not too late to have the epidural? Why don't you pop yourself back on the bed and-"?

"NO! No bed! My back's in agony, and I've got cramp in my thighs. But I'm still not having any needle in my spine, no way! I know someone who moved slightly during that, and spent the rest of her life in…" her mind went back to her friend in Boston, Cathy, who wound up in a wheelchair. It was very rare, but still bugged her. "...never mind, just no okay? I gotta have something else. Anything!"

Hilary looked to Victor, for his opinion. "Emma are you more comfortable just standing throughout the birth?" asked Whale, "Because it sounds like the baby's pressing on a nerve down there. We could deliver standing up, if you prefer? But if you want a Caesar, we'll need to lie you down."

"Standing. Please?" her request was almost a pleading whimper, as the next contraction ground in.

It was painful, but, two hours later, Emma finally delivered her baby squatting, while holding on to Killian's front, with Hilary and Rosemary on the floor and Whale massaging her lower back, remaining in case there were complications. It was messy, but she finally delivered a baby girl. Completely exhausted, her knees were close to buckling as, after she'd been cleaned up a little, Killian carefully lifted her, bridal style, placing her back onto the bed.

"You were fantastic, Emma!" He kissed her brow, wrapping an around around her shoulders."Incredible...as always. I love you so much!"

She only had the strength to smile back, but held his hand, demanding he not let go. Rosemary checked over, cleaned and swaddled their baby, before presenting her. "Here you go, you two. One beautiful, bouncing baby girl. Congratulations. Do you have a name for her yet?"

"Sure do," said Emma, a tired smile on her lips as she took the baby in her arms. "But we need to tell someone else first. Rosie, could you just give us twenty minutes to ourselves first please? And for god's sake, if she's outside, please don't tell my mum just yet?"

Rosemary understood. Snow White could be just plain overwhelming when she was excited. "Sure thing. You two rest..."

Half an hour later, after they'd had some quiet time with their new child, Hook pecked his wife's lips, snuzzled his daughter with his nose, and walked into reception to get his mother-in-law. He found her standing in front of the reception desk, looking like she'd been distracting the nurses throughout.

"Wonderful news, Snow! You've got…" but the pixie-haired brunette wasn't listening, just bundling straight past him, in a fierce dash to finally see her daughter! "…another granddaughter!" he laughed to himself, seeing the relief and giggles on the nurses' faces once she'd gone.

By the time he'd visited the bathroom and returned, Snow was already standing by the window, her tiny granddaughter in her arms, looking out over the fields. "I can't wait for your grandpa to meet you! He's going to be all over you like a rash!" she cooed.

He looked down at a resigned, tired, albeit contented, Emma. "I see those two have become acquainted! Anything I can get for you, Swan?"

"Coffee. Really, stupidly strong coffee! With sugar! I'm been deprived for months!" she begged.

"Sure thing. Snow, you want something?"

"I'm fine Killian, thanks. So, are you going to tell me the name of my new granddaughter?"

Emma looked up at him. He nodded. "We were going to wait till dad got here; but I don't see why we can't just tell you now. I hate those 'Lion King' moments! We decided to name her after two of the most important women in our lives. You're looking at Elizabeth Snow Swan Jones."

Snow gasped in surprise, beaming. "I'm…I'm touched! Honoured. Elizabeth?"

"My mother's name," said Killian. "Spelt the British way. Emma wanted 'Swan' dropped, but I insisted. Even if it is only her adopted name, she's still my Swan."

"Quite right too," her mother smiled, kissing the baby's cheek. "Your Swan and her two little cygnets."

"Mum, as she's premature, I'll need to stay in here a couple of days, because she needs an incubator overnight. It's precautionary, just to make sure her breathing's all right. I just texted Henry to let him know. Have you told dad? Hope should be here with us!"

"Sorry, my mind slipped, getting in here to hold this precious angel!"

"Aye, I'll say," agreed Killian. "Damn near almost sent me flying, in her rush to get in here, she did!"

"Don't exaggerate!" his mother-in-law chided, as Emma sniggered. "I'll tell you what, I'll go outside and call him now, even if I don't want to be parted from her." She leant across the bed, placing the baby back in Emma's arms. "She probably needs nursing anyway. Best not to leave these things too long, Emma. She'll need to latch on early, to get used to feeding naturally!"

Emma arched a brow. "Mum, I've done this before, you know? Remember Hope? We've got this covered. You go out and phone dad."

"Yes, yes of course. Sorry..."

As she turned to leave, the door opened once more, Rosemary holding it open as Snow walked out. "Emma, how are you feeling? Regina's outside. She said she'll only come in when you're ready?"

She nodded back, and the door opened wider, revealing Regina, sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed in by Robin, Marian behind him holding the baby. "Too soon? We can come back later, if you're tired?"

"No, come in." As they entered, she saw how Regina definitely didn't look like she'd just given birth.

"Dammit Regina, that's hardly fair! There's me lying here like a sweaty bag of crap, and you come rolling in here like a supermodel after a day at the salon! Are you serious?"

Regina chuckled. "Hardly. Looks can be deceptive, my dear. We've got your magic back, remember? And Marian did my makeup just now. I'm still feeling completely shattered, and desperate for a decent bath, or a shower at the very least!"

"Marian, you'd better work your magic on me too, before my dad gets here with the kids! So, what's with the wheelchair?"

"Some tearing," Regina flicked her hand, dismissing the problem. "I've got a few stitches from the birth, unfortunately."

Emma tried not to wince, remembering it had happened to her after she delivered Hope, when she tore slightly too. Those stitches were bloody painful! "Bad luck. I had that happen to me last time. Still…I'll show you mine if you show me yours?"

What the hell? "I'm…I'm sorry?"

"The babies? Swap?"

"Thank god for that!" muttered Killian under his breath, earning a glare from the women. "Hang on, allow me…" he leaned over Emma, carefully gathering his daughter, and depositing her into Regina's arms.

She smiled down, softening completely, cooing the newborn, and stroking her tiny cheeks with her finger. "She's gorgeous. What's her name?"

"Elizabeth Snow…after both grandmothers." As she spoke, Marian lowered their own, slightly larger baby, into Emma's arms. "And yours?"

"We haven't decided yet," said Robin. "We're down to a shortlist of three."

Marian grinned at him. "Actually, my love, Regina and I got talking, and we kind of decided her name while you were out! As it's majority voting, two out of three wins!"

Regina could see a look of hurt on his face, as they once again appeared to be making important decisions without consulting him. "Robin, if you really don't like our choice, we'll think again! But, in a way, we named her after you, my darling. And everything you've always stood for."

"Honour!" Marian clarified, seeing him looking puzzled. "We asked you for your hand in marriage, as we knew you'd feel it was 'dishonourable' to ever ask us, because we were already married. That just about sums you up! So, we want to call her 'Honour'. Honour Anastasia Locksley…"

"Good name, I like it!" agreed Emma, putting a finger into the tiny brunette's palm. She gripped it. "Hello Honour, it's lovely to meet you. You're stunning, you are! I'm Emma, and I'm-"

"Her godmother!" Marian interrupted. "If you want the job? Killian too. Godfather, I mean!"

"Me?" Emma was more than surprised. She always felt, despite recent developments, that Regina's wife never fully trusted her.

"It was Marian's suggestion." added Regina, looking up at her.

"Well…seeing as you and Gina are best friends, and Killian's mine…"

"I'm starting to feel seriously left out here!" joked Robin.

"Which is why we're wanting to ask Elsa and John to become her other godparents; isn't that right Regina?"

Killian bent over his wife, kissing her sweaty brow. "I'd be honoured, Honour, and excuse the pun! Of course we'll accept, won't we Swan?" he rested his hand on her shoulder. "Hopefully, as they share a birthday, these two lasses will be firm friends in the future…"

"The very best of friends, I'm sure," agreed Marian, remembering what Merlin had told her. "Emma, you haven't said anything?"

"What? Yeah, of course. Honoured, right! Sorry, a bit taken by surprise, that's all!" She looked up at Marian. "To be honest, I thought you never quite trusted me! That's why Kill and I thought…"

Killian stepped in. "What my lady here is trying to say, is that we were going to ask you and Robin here to be Elizabeth's, seeing as your missus is already Hope's godmother."

"We'd be delighted!" Marian's eyes twinkled. "And I'm sorry Emma, that was my fault! I got a bit jealous of the sort of friendship you and Gina have. But Merlin straightened me out! Particularly about that weird baby magic…"

"You never told us what he said?"

"He had an interesting theory. Hang on a minute. Gina, as she's lying down, let me put both the babies on Emma? I want to try something!" She stooped over, lifting the tiny swaddled baby from her. Honour started crying at the disturbance, as Elizabeth was placed in the crook of the Saviour's right arm, while Honour lay in her left, eyes shut.

They all noticed the change, the moment the babies were within an arm's length of each other. Two tiny pairs of blue eyes jerked open, as though shocked by a noise, Elizabeth's mouth opening in surprise and Honour's minute free hand seemed to reach out and try to touch the other baby. "Well will you look at that?" said Emma, her voice almost a whisper. "It's like they recognise each other! Gina, Robin – did you feel the magic?"

"I did," said Regina. "Mari, come on, out with it! What exactly did Merlin say? And no riddles!"

"He said he couldn't be certain, but apparently in that 'magic exchange' between them, he detected traces of what he called 'the most powerful magic of all'!"

Emma could see Regina thinking the same thing. Their daughters – true love? Before they'd even met? Must be a mistake, surely? But then she remembered the unbelievably strong 'pull' between her and Regina when they were both carrying them over the last months. Their need to be with each other. The comfort when they held hands. True love? Was it even possible, so soon? Then again, when was something not possible in this weird town? Robin came back from the dead, for god's sake!

"Looks like these girls are going to be in each other's lives, one way or another," said Robin. "Now, can I hold my new goddaughter please?"

Another hour, and David arrived, bringing Neal, Roland, Hope and Margot. Prior to their arrival, Regina used her much-missed magic on Emma, to at least make her look fresh for her family, even if she felt shattered underneath. Everyone congregated into one of the training rooms, as the nursing ones were too small to cope. Magic was used to provide sofas, chairs and some food and drink, and before long, there was a noisy, happy hubbub, as hugs, kisses and congratulations were exchanged, followed by numerous photos taken by the proud fathers and grandparents. Eventually it was the turn of Killian and Robin to sit, as Emma and Marian took turns taking pictures, with their children surrounding them.

"Lovely to have them all together, isn't it?" said Marian. "Shame we weren't able to do this over Christmas, considering…"

"Yeah," she sighed, exchanging a sad smile with Regina. They were missing one very important young man from the celebration. One young man who had changed both their lives forever over a decade ago. However, that all changed twenty minutes later when he burst through the doors, to everyone's surprise except David's.

"You'd better have left some of that chocolate cake for me, Ro?"

"HENRY!" both mothers yelled, as one, Emma standing up to rush over to him. "You're back!"

"Hi, ma. I just arrived in town," he pulled his blonde mother into his arms, hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead. Although she'd had to take more care and time standing, Regina was already up and ready for her hug. "Hi mum!" His right arm came out to hug her in too.

"Not too tight, my prince! I'm a bit delicate at the moment." Nonetheless she loved his hugs and held him regardless as he gave her a kiss too, the three of them bound together. "Even though it's wonderful to see you, you shouldn't have taken time off like that! You've important work to get through this term!"

"You serious? When I've got two more sisters being born on the same day? There wasn't a cat in hell's chance I was going to miss this!"

"Well...I guess we'll let you off this once, Hen," said Emma. "Now – come meet them!"

Minutes later, the Author was sitting back on the deep sofa, his new-born sisters in his arms, Hope and Margot sitting between his legs on the floor, and Roland behind him. "Okay guys – say cheese?"

As Elizabeth and Honour looked up, bewildered by their heavily-bearded big brother, while the adults took the pictures, Henry's mind went back to something his older mother once told him over a decade earlier. That he'd one day have more family than he could ever imagine. Seems she was right. Seeing both his mothers now, happily married (and in a few months' time Regina would be adding a husband), with all their loving family around them, Henry began to realise just how much had changed over the last two and a half years since he'd left for Harvard. And he missed this.

He loved his independence, loved his apartment and loved his lifestyle - but there's no place like home!