Tw: Mentions of infertility and possible infant death, a complicated/risky birth and blood.
This ties into my headcanon that Emma was born pretty early and had she not immediately been sent to the Land Without Magic, there'd be a ton of complications.
When Snow first struggled to get pregnant, she looked for every cure. Regina brewed potions; she performed the old wives tales. Many nights after making love, Snow lay with her legs in the air, hoping to direct the sperm where to go. And yet, after 10 years of trying, nothing came to fruition.
After adopting Alice and later Henry, Snow gave up on her dreams of ever being pregnant. She had two little ones running around. Henry wasn't nearly as wild as his older sister, but he often followed her around like she hung the sky. While Alice was more into drawing and paints, Henry was obsessed with books. Even at only 3 years old, he insisted that his parents read him the same worn tales. They'd often visit Belle's humungous in-castle library and he'd check out a bunch of books, wanting to return just days later for more. He had a sweet tooth much like his sister. Though while Alice opted for jellies and jams (especially her orange marmalade), Henry was into chocolate pastries. Between three spouses, two kids and a kingdom to run, Snow's life was never boring. They discussed adopting more children, but for the moment, two were enough.
And then they found out about the lake. It was known to cure any ailment, curse and even infertility. They heard success stories from women who had tried longer than they to get pregnant. They had healthy, beautiful children. So, the spouses discussed it. After all this time, Regina had no desire to get pregnant. She joked that while parenthood wasn't at all easy, she had gotten to skip one of the harder parts. Snow knew that she wouldn't love a biological child more than Alice or Henry, but as a young girl she dreamed of experiencing pregnancy. It wasn't glamorous or fun. When Belle was pregnant with Liam Jr., she had horrid morning sickness and her feet swell. Even so, there was something to be said about that experience. Not every woman wanted it, but Snow did.
So, Killian and David went on a mission for the water. They returned with a vial and Snow downed it in two seconds. That night, the four of them made love. It didn't work the first time, but after the third try, Snow missed her monthly blood. A spell confirmed it, she was pregnant with their third child.
The castle was abuzz with excitement. Alice and Henry were over the moon, wanting to help decorate the nursery. Ruth had gifted them her necklace. Once enchanted by a gypsy, it told the sex of your child. David and Killian didn't want to know at first, but eventually relented. Regina let it rock above Snow's growing bump, east to west.
They're going to have another girl.
The nursery is prepared. Cinderella and Thomas send over a beautiful glass unicorn mobile to hang above the crib. Henry and Alice select a million stuffed animals every time they go to market. From a giraffe taller than the young toddler boy to a tiger that Alice dragged up the steps with her father worried she'd trip. Granny knits a blanket for her, just as she did her other surrogate grandchildren. Red makes a doll that looks just like her. David paints a beautiful mural with sunshine and teddy bears on the walls.
Snow goes through her pregnancy as most women do. Sickness in the first few months, growing an aversion to vegetables but a sudden love of chocolate. Her stomach swells with each month, though she notices it's not as big as some other women that she's seen. The midwife assures her that every pregnancy is different.
Only seven months in, Snow grows weak. She's in so much pain and can barely move. David calls for the midwife, Catalina. Regina and Killian get Snow settled into bed. The nanny agrees to take their older children to Belle and Liam's, just in case.
Just in case.
Snow has heard the stories. Infant mortality rate is high in these parts. It's a statistic she tried to avoid. After everything they've been through, she had a healthy pregnancy. This baby is supposed to be okay. Her daughter is going to be fine.
Isn't she?
Catalina's dark locks shake back and forth once she finishes examining Snow. "You're contracting, your majesty," she explains. "And I see some blood."
Snow grips David's hand. "But it's too early."
"I'm sorry, there's nothing that can be done to stop it."
David grips his wife's hand. "And the baby? Is she going to be alright?"
"We can't know," Catalina says.
Killian fixes her with a look. "You've done this hundreds of times before. What's the standard?"
Catalina sighs. "Often, we're lucky if we don't lose the mother, let alone the child."
Her spouses begin speaking at once, shouting to be heard on top of the other. Snow's hand flutters to the top of her stomach. She thinks of her children, including the one that she's carrying. She vowed to protect them until her dying breath, that includes right now.
"Save her," Snow's voice is soft, too quiet to be heard.
David looks down at her, pushing some of her hair from her face. "What's that, my love?"
"Save her." Snow's voice grows firm. "I don't care what happens to me, but save this baby."
Catalina frowns. "Snow…"
"This baby is a miracle, we have been trying to have her for 10 years," she interrupts. "She is going to be fine. What do we need to do?"
Her spouses exchange a look before each grabbing hold of her in some way and turning back to face Catalina. The midwife is quiet for a moment and then turns to Regina.
"I know you've studied magic," she says. "Some spells are similar to a few remedies I've read to help with weak lungs, which this baby is bound to have."
Regina nods, wiping a tear from her eye. "I've looked into those."
"Good. She'll need to be put into a dark, warm environment right away. Be given a lot of medicine."
"And Snow?" Killian asks.
"There are a few things we can do stop the hemorrhaging."
David tightens his grip on his wife's hand. "Tell us what do."
"It's a girl!" Catalina's voice rings out across the room.
Snow can barely keep her eyes open, pain radiating her skin. David and Killian are grasping her hands, with Regina by the midwife. Snow blinks, but her eyelids tug down.
"Cry…" she manages to get out. "Why isn't she crying?"
Their voices turn into mumbles, static. Snow forces herself to stay awake. A tiny shriek comes through, showing that her baby is fine.
It's only then that Snow allows herself to lose consciousness.
When she comes to again, Killian is still by her side. She clambers to grab his hand and he presses a kiss to it.
"Emma," she barely makes out.
"She's doing great," Killian whispers. He pushes away the hair that's practically matted to her sweaty forehead. "She's a fighter, just like her mum."
Snow lets out a shaky breath. "Where is she?"
"Regina took her to give her some medicine. Doc looked her over. Like Catalina said, she has weak lungs, she's a little smaller than we'd like. Emma will probably have to be monitored a lot, Catalina and Doc are looking into a nurse that could stay with us for a few months."
"But she's okay?" Snow looks into her husband's earnest eyes.
"She's going to be."
"I wanna see her."
Killian nods and gently kisses her before rolling out of bed, heading out of the room. Snow groans as she attempts to sit up a bit. She's still incredibly sore, her mouth is dry. Her breasts feel like they're going to explode. Most mothers get to feed not long after giving birth, she's unsure how long it's been since her daughter was born.
Eventually, the door opens once more. David stands there, holding the blanket that Granny made. It takes some eye straining tor realize that there's indeed a baby beneath it all. He walks closer with Regina closely behind, sitting beside Snow. Regina unbuttons Snow's nightgown and David slowly removes the blanket, placing the tiniest baby that Snow has ever seen onto her chest. The little body warms Snow's cold chest. Emma wiggles, making the most heartbreaking raspy sound. A choked cry escapes Snow's lips as she strokes her tiny cheek. She's a wrinkled bright red mess, nothing like Alice or Henry were when she first met them. Snow has to remind herself that they were a few weeks old when finally brought to them, she's never seen a baby this brand new. Not exactly cute, but still hers to protect from the world.
It was her, all this time. This tiny little one who's eyes can't even open. Snow bends her head, ignoring the pounding to give her a kiss.
"Hi Emma," she whispers. "I'm your mommy. I know Mama has been taking good care of you with Daddy's help. Have you met your papa?"
Killian sits on the other side of her. "I got to hold her for a bit, when David finally let her go."
David rolls his eyes. "She liked me the best."
Regina smacks him on the shoulder. "She's only a few hours, how do you know?"
"I can just tell."
They don't know which husband helped create Emma. There's a chance it was both, Regina could've even been involved. Snow's read books explaining that true love causes amazing things She's too young, too tiny to look like any of them. They all know it doesn't matter anyway, she will be just as loved as her siblings.
"Has she eaten?" Snow asks.
"The medicine Catalina helped me mix tided her over," Regina explains. "But she's ready when you are."
With Regina's help, Snow adjusts the tiny baby to feed. Regina assists Emma to find the nipple, but eventually she latches on and begins to eat greedily. Snow lets out a deep breath. She still feels like she needs 10 years of sleep, but she's alive. Emma's alive. That's all that matters.
The nurse, Bogdana, has been a huge help. She lets Snow do her own thing, only stepping in when needed. Alice and Henry return to the palace a week after the baby's birth. Upon Bogdana and Catalina's recommendation, the children do not meet their little sister right away. The only people allowed around Emma are the medical staff and her parents. Snow barely gets to see her older children since Emma needs to be around her so much. It breaks her heart; she misses them so much. It may be for Emma's health, but it hurts not having their family together.
When Emma is a month old and has gained some weight, she isn't wheezing nearly as much. Snow has regained her color and can take a few short walks around the garden. She's even began to bathe herself again. Bogdana says that it's safe for a few new people to meet the baby. So, one sunny Wednesday afternoon after lunch, her spouses enter the room. Alice is hanging off of Killian's shoulders while Henry cuddles close to Regina. Snow has just finished feeding Emma and the baby lays contently on her chest. David leads his spouses to the bed and they deposit the children.
"Remember," Killian says, gently, before his older kids go while. "Mommy is still healing and the baby is very tiny. We need to be gentle."
Alice nods. "I know, Papa, I've been teaching Henry with my baby dolls."
Snow grins as David strokes Alice's cheek. "My clever girl." Henry moves closer, curiously looking at the baby. "Henry," she kisses his head. "Alice, this is your baby sister. Emma Ruth."
"She's tiny," Henry says.
"Tinier than Henry was," Alice comments.
"We talked about this," Regina says kindly. "She was born a little early, so she's small."
"But she's going to be okay?"
"Sí, Amada." Regina caresses her curls. "Emma's already doing so much better."
"Can I hold her?"
"Of course," Snow says. "Come sit next to me."
Alice scrambles to go beside her mom. Killian gently positions her arms in the right way and Snow places the baby in them. Emma wiggles a bit, spitting up her lunch down her shirt. Alice giggles.
Henry wrinkles his nose. "Yuck."
David laughs, scratching the back of his son's neck. "You did the same thing."
"No way."
"Yes, and you used to pee on me."
It's Henry's turn to laugh while Alice makes a face, talking about how gross Henry's diapers were. She adds she hopes this baby doesn't have smelly diapers like that. Snow, Killian, David and Regina just share a smile. Their life is only about to get crazier, even as Snow and Emma get better. Still, they wouldn't have it any other way.