A/N: I am shocked that a lot of you were wondering how Regina became pregnant, when it was explained somewhere in the beginning of this story lol but, it's okay. For those of you who were confused, no, Emma didn't get her pregnant. And no, Regina didn't cheat. For those of you who caught on and noticed what I did- big applause for you! :) I know some of you won't be happy with Emma, but that's to be expected. Don't worry. She will come around. SQ is always endgame in my stories. Happy reading!
Please read thoroughly through this chapter and you will find out how Regina became pregnant.
Pregnant? No. This can't happen. Not now. Regina admits to being stupid in going behind Emma's back when they had their discussion on trying out a pregnancy procedure to see if she could conceive. It was stupid! But, in the end Regina was happy she wouldn't have to explain anything to Emma after other tests determined she wasn't able to have any children at all. And now… she is? All because of a simple mix up with someone else's tests? What the fuck! How will she explain this to Emma? She is going to freak.
"Mrs. Swan, you're very pale. Would you like a glass of water?" Dr. Belfrey asked.
"Please." Her voice is barely audible. Her mind is racing. How could the test be wrong? Why did this have to happen now? Why?!
"I take it you're surprised."
Regina nods at the good doctor as she hands her a glass of water from her mini cooler. She takes a welcomed sip. "Shocked." She finally whispers.
"Of course. I understand. Anyone would be in your situation, especially after the last test that was done on you determined that you were unable to conceive. But, it seems someone from my staff made a mistake in mixing up your results with someone else's and… well…" Once again, the good doctor gave her an apologetic smile. "I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding. I can understand how this must be quite a shock to you. We could do an ultrasound to see how advanced the pregnancy is. Judging by your reaction, I suspect you're just a couple of weeks or so from conception- four or five weeks pregnant. I take it you haven't been suffering any symptoms?"
Pregnant? Symptoms? Regina shakes her head mutely. "I'm sorry… I don't understand…" She pauses. "I mean, I fully understand it being a mistake of the clinic, but… how? How could- how could you have possibly made a mistake?"
Dr. Belfrey's lips pressed into a hard line. "I am very sorry, Mrs. Swan. I can assure you that this is the first time anything like this ever happened. I was so sure… your tests showed that you were in fact, unable to conceive, but it just turned out to be someone else's results instead of yours. With that being said- it seems that you got lucky and were able to conceive when I performed the artificial insemination procedure on you."
Oh, God! Regina's color was gone, her heart stopped, she needed some air. She needed to figure out how she would explain this to Emma. How could she possibly say anything that would justify her going behind her back and trying out this procedure without her knowledge? Ugh… she was going to be pissed.
"Have you been bleeding at all?"
Regina frowns. "No."
"Let's do an ultrasound, shall we? I have time."
Pregnant? The procedure worked. I'm pregnant.
"Mrs. Swan," Dr. Belfrey startles the brunette's thoughts.
Regina nods, bewildered, and follows the doctor toward a black leather exam table behind a screen.
"If you'll just slip off your skirt, underwear, and cover yourself with the blanket on the table, we'll go from there," she says briskly.
Regina quickly does as she's instructed, removing her skirt, underwear and lies up on the examination table, covering herself from the waist down. And she waits. Pregnant? A baby? A baby of my own… of Emma's… Emma will freak. She damn well knows it. And why shouldn't she when Regina went behind her back with this procedure? And now it's come back to bite her in the ass with a freaking baby.
Dr. Belfrey appears at the end of the table, pulling the ultrasound machine closer. It's a hi-tech stack of computers. Sitting down, she positions the screen so that they can both see it and jogs the trackball on the keyboard. The screen turns on.
"If you could lift and bend your knees, then part them wide," she says matter-of-factly.
Regina frowns. A baby? She does as she's told, remaining absolutely still and absolutely quiet.
"This is a transvaginal ultrasound. If you're only just pregnant, we should be able to find the baby with this." She holds up a long white probe.
Oh, for the love of God.
Regina watches as the doctor pulls a condom over the wand and lubricates it with clear gel.
"Mrs. Swan, if you could relax."
Relax? I'm fucking pregnant! I went behind Emma's back and accepted to have a procedure done on a fit of anger against my wife! How could I possibly relax? Regina takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and begins to travel to a happy place.
Slowly and gently the doctor inserts the probe.
Regina's eyes part open and all she can see on the screen beside her is the visual equivalent of white noise- although it's more sepia in color. Slowly, Dr. Belfrey moves the probe about, and it's very disconcerting.
"There," she murmurs. She presses a button, freezing the picture on the screen, and points to a tiny blip in the sepia storm.
Regina's lips part, her head rises slightly from the headrest. It's there! A baby… a little bean. So Tiny. Wow! Suddenly she forgets all about how angry Emma will be, and all of her worries as she stares at this little bean on the screen before her.
"It's too early to see the heartbeat, but yes, you're definitely pregnant. Four or five weeks, I would say." She smiles. "Looks like artificial insemination worked after all."
Regina is too stunned to say anything. I'm going to be a mother! Emma and I will be parents to this little bean. A baby!
"Would you like me to print out a picture for you?"
Regina nods, still unable to speak, and Dr. Belfrey presses a button. Then she gently removes the wand and hands her a paper towel so that she can clean herself up.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Swan," she says as Regina finally sits up. "We'll need to make another appointment. I suggest in four weeks' time. Then we can ascertain the exact age of your baby and set a likely due date. You can get dressed now."
"Thank you." Regina dresses hurriedly. She has a baby inside of her belly, growing. Once she emerges from behind the screen, Dr. Belfrey is back at her desk.
"In the meantime, I'd like you to start this course of folic acid and prenatal vitamins. Here's a list of do's and don'ts."
As she hands her a package of pills and a list printed out, she continues to talk to her about all a woman can expect during pregnancy, but Regina tunes her out. She's in shock. Overwhelmed. Surely she should be happy. But this was too soon, a surprise- truly a surprise. And she's trying desperately not to panic, but all she can think about right now- apart from this baby growing inside of her- is the anger in Emma's green eyes once she finds out.
Once Regina is outside again, feeling the heat of the sun hit her face. Pregnant. She still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that she would be a mother. And Emma. She would be so angry.
Jones leaps out of the SUV and holds open the door. He frowns when he sees Regina's face, but she ignores his concerned expression.
"Where to, Mrs. Swan?" he asks gently.
"To work, please, Jones." Regina nestles into the backseat of the car, closing her eyes and leaning her head on the headrest. She should be happy. She knows this, but the truth is, she was scared, too. This is too sudden and too early. What about her job? What about Emma? What about them? What will happen? No. No. No. We'll be fine. Emma will be fine. After all, she adored baby Ruby once upon a time ago. She even recalls David confirming this to her.
'I'm not ready to share you.' Emma's words come to her mind, making Regina close her eyes once again. Maybe she shouldn't tell her. But, how could she keep it a secret for long? If not symptoms, an enormous pregnant belly would surely give up the little bean growing inside of her. Maybe… maybe, she should end it? No! No, don't even go there, Regina! You were stupid enough to know what you were doing behind Emma's back, now you have to live with these consequences.
Instantly, her hands rest protectively against her belly. No. My little jelly bean. Tears sting at her eyes. What the fuck was she going to do now?
Suddenly, a clear vision of a little boy, brunette hair like Regina's, brown eyes like hers running across the meadow, giggling and squealing with delight as Emma chases after him in a playful manner springs to her mind. All three of them walk with him hand in hand as they head back to their new home. Her very own family.
Then, those happy visions turn into one dark vision of Emma walking away from her in disgust. There she stands, shameful and pregnant, heavy with child. Emma paces along the hall of mirrors, away from her, the sound of her footsteps echoing off the silvered glass, walls, the floor. Emma…
Regina jerks awake from having drifted off into sleep. No. She's not going to freak out. She'll be fine.
Jones pulls up outside of her work, and Regina leaps out and heads into the building.
"Gina, great to see you. How's your dad?" Kathryn asks as soon as she reaches her office.
"He's better, thank you. Can I see you in my office?"
"Sure." She looks surprised as she follows the brunette right in. "Is everything okay?"
"I need to know if you've moved or canceled any appointments with Dr. Belfrey."
"Dr. Belfrey? Yes, I have. About two or three of them. Mostly because you were in other meetings or running late. Why?"
Because now I'm fucking pregnant! Regina screams at her in her mind. She takes a deep breath, steadying it. "If you move my appointments, will you make sure I know, please? I don't always check my calendar."
"Sure," Kathryn says quietly. "I'm sorry. Have I done something wrong?"
No. I did. Regina shakes her head and sighs loudly. "Could you make me some tea, please? Then let's discuss what's been happening while I've been away."
"Sure. I'll get right on it." Kathryn heads out of her office.
Regina sighs as she sits in her chair. She places her hands against her belly, looking down at it. "Hi. You don't know me yet, but I'm your mother. If anyone's to blame for all this, it's me. But, you sure don't have excellent timing in letting yourself be known, do you, little bean?" She smiles, patting her stomach gently. Suddenly she feels ridiculous talking to her stomach, and decides to busy her head with work. That's the best way to get through the day. And just as she switches her computer. There's an email from Emma.
Mrs. Swan
I've been back in the office for only three hours, and I'm missing you already.
I hope Henry was well this morning. My mom called me this morning, giving me nothing but good news on his behalf. Seems she was able to convince him to stay one more day. He was transferred to the hospital where my mom works so she can keep a close eye on him.
Sound good?
Your loving wife
Emma Swan
CEO, Swan Enterprises Inc.
Regina closes her eyes. God, she's going to hate me. She's going to be so mad. She types a quick response.
That's very good news.
X
Regina Swan
Editor, New York Book Publishers
Emma frowned, her brows furrowed at her wife's distant response.
Are you okay?
Emma Swan
CEO, Swan Enterprises Inc.
Regina feels all the color drain from her body.
Fine. Just busy.
See you at six.
X
Regina Swan
Editor, New York Book Publishers
It's then Regina decides when would be the best time to tell Emma. Tonight? Maybe after sex? Maybe during sex. No, that might be dangerous for them both. When she's sleeping? She puts her face in her hands. What the hell am I going to do?
"Hi," Emma says warmly as Regina climbs into the SUV.
"Hi," she murmurs.
"What's wrong?" Emma frowns.
Regina shakes her head as Gold sets off toward the hospital.
"Nothing." Maybe now would be a good time to tell her? No. No, not now. Not yet.
"Is work alright?" Emma continues to probe, because she can sense that something isn't right. Regina is never this quiet, unless she's pissed.
"Yes. Fine. Thanks."
"Gina, what's wrong?" Her tone is a little more forceful, and it makes Regina back out.
"I've just missed you, that's all. And I still worry about my father."
Emma visibly relaxes. "Henry's good. I spoke to my mom this afternoon and she's impressed with his progress." Emma takes her wife's hand. "Gina, your hand is so cold. Have you eaten today?"
Regina says nothing.
"Gina," Emma scolds her, annoyed.
No, I haven't eaten because I know you're going to be so angry with me when you find out that I went behind your back and got pregnant by artificial insemination.
"I'll eat this evening. I haven't really had time."
Emma shakes her head in frustration. "Do you want me to add 'feed my wife' to the security detail's list of duties?"
"I'm sorry. I'll eat. It's just been a weird day."
Her lips press into a hard line, but Emma says nothing. Regina gazes out the window. Tell her! Just tell her! No. She can't tell her. She can't dare herself to look her in the eye right now. Coward.
Emma interrupts her thoughts. "I may have to go to Taiwan."
"Oh? When?"
"Later this week. Maybe next week."
"Okay."
"I want you to come with me."
Regina sighs. "Emma, please. I have my job. Let's not rehash this argument again."
She sighs, raising her hands in defense. "Thought I'd ask," she mutters.
"How long will you go for?"
"Not more than a couple of days." She pauses, observing her wife. "I wish you'd tell me what's bothering you."
How can I even begin to tell you? "Well, now that my beloved wife is going away…"
Emma kisses her knuckles. "I won't be away for long."
"Good." Regina smiles weakly.
Henry is much brighter when they arrive at the hospital. Regina is quick to hug both of her parents. Her father especially as tears want to prickle at her eyes. Their visit was short, and Regina thought about telling her mother the news about the unexpected baby in her belly, but she decided that she was too much of a coward to even do that. No. Emma needed to be the first one to know.
"Daddy, we'll leave you to sleep."
"Oh, I've had enough sleep. But, I understand, you two have your lives to get to." He smiled. "And, Emma, your mom came by earlier. Very impressive woman. Sports fan, too."
"She's not crazy about fishing, though," Emma says with a smile of her own.
Oh, why of all days did she have to be this happy? Regina's stomach turned. And then, suddenly, all of her changes in mood, her sudden late night ice cream craving back in Aspen. It all made sense. This little bean inside of her belly was already letting her know of his presence since then.
Henry chuckled. "I'm impressed you are. I don't know very many women who are fans of fishing."
"We'll you be fine, mother?" Regina asked Cora.
"Of course, dear. Go. I will call you as soon as we land tomorrow." She smiles, hugging her daughter tightly. Suddenly, she whispered in her ear, taking Regina by surprise. "And honey, whatever's going on… fix it."
If only this could be easily fixed. Regina gave her a sad smile.
Steak for dinner tonight. One of Emma's favorite meals. While she is almost done with her food, Regina is still picking at hers, twirling her fork around and around the vegetables. She just can't eat right now. She needs to tell Emma. She needs to tell her now.
"Damn it, Gina, will you tell me what's wrong?" Emma pushes her empty plate away, irritated.
Regina gazes at her wife.
"Please, you're driving me crazy. You have been quiet all day. You haven't even touched your wine. This isn't like you. Now, what is it?"
This is it. It was now or never. Regina swallows the lump in her throat, trying to push down the panic rising throughout her body. She takes a deep, steadying breath. "I'm pregnant."
What? Emma stills, and very slowly all the color drains from her face. "What?" She whispers, ashen.
Regina's eyes finally look into shocked, wide, and dark green ones. "I'm pregnant." She says more softly.
Emma's brow furrowed with incomprehension, "How?" What the fuck?! Did she- "Did you…?" She couldn't even bring herself to say the words.
"No!" Regina's world was crumbling. She suddenly reached for Emma's hand, "Emma, how could you think I'd cheat on you? I would never!"
"Then, explain yourself. Because I sure as hell didn't do this." Her words spat.
Do it. Just do it. You've come too far now. Regina sighs. "Do you remember a few days after we became engaged, we had our first conversation on kids, and I desperately wanted to become a mother by that time. We fought, and you said no. So…" Dear, God, she wanted to crawl into a hole and die. "Dr. Belfrey told me about this new procedure that would guarantee a woman a successful pregnancy. Sort of artificial insemination- and I went ahead with it." Her voice sounded so small.
Emma's lip curled up in anger, her eyes darker than Regina had ever seen. Even compared to that night she left her. "So… you went ahead and just decided that you wanted to get yourself pregnant… without talking to me first?"
"Emma, we've talked about it, but you are the one who is never ready to have children-"
"That's right, because now is not the time!"
"It is never the time with you, Emma! I made the mistake of going behind your back- it was wrong and I admit it- and when I didn't end up pregnant, the doctor ran another test on me and it turned out that I couldn't have a baby, so I figured-"
"You figured you wouldn't tell me." Emma cuts in.
"Yes, but now… it seems there was a little mix up in those test results and I can get pregnant after all."
"Christ, Regina!" She bangs her fist on the table, making Regina jump, and stands so abruptly she almost knocks the dining chair over. "I don't- I don't fucking believe this. How could you be so stupid?"
"I'm sorry, Emma." she whispered.
"Sorry? Fuck!" she says again.
"I know the timing's terrible."
"Terrible?!" Emma shouts. "I know I told you that someday I wanted to have a fucking kid with you, but we're barely enjoying our fucking marriage! And this is not the way I wanted to do things!" She runs her hands through her hair in frustration and anger. "I wanted to show you the fucking world. Not deal with vomit and diapered shit!" Her eyes close, obviously trying to contain her bad temper.
Regina's eyes sting with tears, she blinks as a few stream down her cheeks.
"This is why. This is why I like control. So shit like this doesn't come along and fuck everything up. So you can't keep defying me like this!"
Regina places her hands against her belly as if covering the little bean's ears. "Emma, please, don't shout." Her voice almost breaks.
Fucking pregnant! A fucking baby. No. No. No! A hand runs through Emma's hair again. "Do you think I'm ready to be a mother?" Her voice catches, and it's a mixture of range and panic.
And suddenly, it all makes sense to Regina. Emma is scared to be as shitty as her own mother was to her. That's why she isn't sure about having kids. That's why she never wanted them. Because her adolescent self forbids it.
"Emma. I know neither of us is ready for this, I sure wasn't. And yes, it was my mistake- I defied you, like I have time and time again. Because I really wanted this. I should have told you what I had done, even when I thought I couldn't have any children of my own. But… Emma, I think you'll be a wonderful mother." She chokes. "We'll figure it out."
"How the fuck do you know!" She shouts, louder this time. "Tell me how! Her eyes burn as so many emotions cross her face. It's fear that's most prominent.
"Because we will! We always figure everything out-"
Emma scoffs, running another hand through her hair. "Fuck this," Emma bellows dismissively and holds her hands up in a gesture of defeat. She turns on her heels and stalks toward the foyer, grabbing her jacket and she leaves the great room. Her footsteps echo off the wooden floor, and she disappears through the double doors into the foyer, slamming the door behind her and making Regina jump once more.
Regina finds herself alone with the silence- the still, silent emptiness of the great room. She shudders involuntarily as she gazes numbly at the closed doors. She walked out on me. Shit. Emma's reaction was far worse than she could have ever imagined it to be.
Hours later, Regina finds herself looking out of their bedroom window. Her hands placed on her belly. It was eleven o'clock at night and Emma was still a no show.
"She'll be back." She whispered to her little bean. I hope so. Please, come back, Emma. Please. I'm sorry.
Emma has been mad at her before, but she's never dared to walk out on her. Would she even be back? She had been so thoughtful and kind over the last few days, so loving and now… Suppose she never comes back? No! Shit! She'll be back. She will. Regina shakes away the thoughts. She's at a loss. She wasn't thinking when she went ahead and had this procedure on a whim without talking to her first. Emma was right. She should have talked to her. Emma is so fragile in many ways and clearly scared about having children in her life. This type of news was just too much for her to handle.
Ever since Regina met her, her life has been complicated. Is it her? Is it the two of them together? Suppose Emma never gets past this? Suppose she wants a divorce? Bile rises to her throat. No. She can't think this way. She'll be back. Everything will be fine. It has to be. Emma loves her and she loves Emma. They belong together. She loves her and she will learn to love their baby as well.
Regina decides to take a warm bath. Yes. A bath. That will help her calm her nerves.
Once she comes out of said bath, she reaches for her phone and finds no calls and no texts from Emma. So she decides to send one out to her instead.
R: Where are you?
Where could she have possibly gone? Who could she have gone to see? Ruby? Or maybe she's with Dr. Hopper.
Roaming the apartment, Regina ends up staring into the guest bedroom. Maybe this could be the baby's room? She wonders if it would be blue or pink? She could have a girl. Then she thinks back on how angry Emma left. She still hasn't answered her text. Much less called her. Where could she be? With whom?
A kid. A fucking kid. How could she do this behind my fucking back? How?! Emma walks and walks and walks… endlessly. Not caring where she's going. Her phone is turned off, because as well as she knows Regina, she knows she would try to reach her, and the last thing she wanted to do right now was talk to her.
In what right mind did Regina think it was alright to get artificially pregnant behind her back? How could she make this decision without her? How could she betray her this way?
Emma shook her head, trying to think of herself as a fucking mother. No. Someone like me can't be a mother. I'm not fit to be one. Regina, maybe. She's sweet, she's innocent, kind, strong. But me? I am too fucked up. I will only fuck this kid up, hurt it just like I hurt its mother. No fucking way.
She was angry, but she loved Regina at all costs. Even if she betrayed her this way and got herself pregnant without her knowledge.
Emma stopped in front of one of the beauty parlors, seeing the lights come on. Her lips parted at the sight of Mal emerging from one of the back rooms.
Mal hurries toward the door. Something was wrong with Emma, she could see it. "Emma? What's going on? Are you alright?"
Emma remains silent.
"Do you want to come in? You look like you could use a drink." Mal steps aside, offering her entry.
Emma moves slowly into the establishment. The door closing behind her.
A sound wakes Regina. Emma! She hurries out of bed, and upon entering the great room, she stumbles upon Emma entering from the elevator doors.
"Shit!" She says, bumping into the table that sits in the middle of the foyer.
Regina watches as she staggers through the double doors. She's drunk. Her eyes are wide, lips are parted with surprise. She had never seen her drunk before. At least not this lost to the alcohol to where she can't even walk right. She knows how much Emma hates it when she's drunk. She runs toward her wife.
"Emma, are you okay?"
Emma leans against the jamb of foyer doors. "Mrs. Swan," she slurs. "Hello." She chuckles.
She's very drunk. Regina isn't sure what to do but help her get to bed.
"Oh…" Emma's slurred green eyes take notice in her wife's new nightgown. "You look mighty fine, Regina."
"Where have you been?"
Emma puts her finger to her lips and smiles crookedly at Regina. "Shh!"
"I think you'd better come to bed."
"With you…" She snickers.
Regina places her arm around her waist because she can hardly stand, let alone walk. Where the hell has she been? How did she get home?
"Let me help you to bed. Lean on me." She was grateful that at least drunk, she wasn't mad.
"You are very beautiful, Gina." She leans on her wife and sniffs her hair, almost knocking both of them over.
"Oh, yeah? All two of me?" Regina had to ask.
"Mhm." Emma smiles another crooked smile.
"Walk. I am going to put you to bed."
"Okay," she says, as if she's trying to concentrate.
They stumble down the corridor and finally make it into the bedroom.
"Bed," Emma says, grinning.
"Yes, bed." Regina maneuvers her to the edge, but feels Emma hold onto her.
"Join me," she says.
"Emma, I think you need some sleep."
Emma groans. "And so it begins. I've heard about this."
Regina frowns. "Heard about what?"
"Babies mean no sex."
"I'm sure that's not true. Otherwise there'd be no siblings."
Emma gazes down at Regina. "You're funny."
"You're drunk."
"Yes." She smiles, but her smile changes as she thinks about it, and a haunted expression crosses her face, a look that chills Regina to the bone.
"Come on, Emma," Regina's voice is gentle. She hates her wife's expression. It speaks of horrid, ugly memories that no child should see. "Let's get you into bed." She pushes her gently, and Emma flops down onto the mattress, sprawling in all directions and grinning up at her, her haunted expression gone.
"Join me," she slurs.
"Let's get you undressed first."
Emma's grin widens, wildly, drunkenly. "Now you're talking."
Regina chuckles. Drunk Emma is cute and playful. Regina sure will take her over mad-as-hell Emma anytime.
"Sit up. Let me take your jacket off."
"The room is spinning."
"Emma, sit up!" She scoffs.
Emma smirks. "Mrs. Swan, you are a bossy little thing…"
"Yes. Do as you're told and sit up." She places her hands on her lips.
Emma grins again, struggles up onto her elbows, then sits up in a most un-Emma-like, gawky fashion. Before she can flop down again, Regina grabs her tie and wrestles her out of her gray jacket, one arm at a time.
"You smell good."
"Thank you. You smell of hard liquor."
"Yes… bur-bon." She pronounces the syllables with such exaggeration that Regina has to stifle a little giggle. Discarding her jacket on the floor beside the bed, Regina makes a start on her wife's tie. Emma rests her hands on the brunette's hips.
"I like the feel of this fabric on you, Re-giii-naaaa," she says, slurring her words. "You should always be in satin or silk." The blonde runs her hands up and down her wife's hips, then jerks her forward, pressing her mouth against her belly. "Oh-oh. We have an intruder."
Regina's breathing stops. She's talking to little bean. She's talking to the baby. Our baby.
"You're going to keep me awake, aren't you? You're going to take your mother away from me." she says to Regina's belly.
Oh, my. Regina is at a loss for words.
Emma looks up at her through her long dark lashes, gray, green eyes blurred and cloudy. It makes Regina's heart constrict. "You'll see. You'll choose him over me." she says sadly.
"Emma, you don't know what you're talking about. Don't be ridiculous- I'm not choosing anyone over anyone. And besides… he might be a she."
Emma frowns. "A she… Oh, God." She flops back down on the bed and covers her eyes with her arm. Regina has already managed to loosen her tie. She undoes her shoelaces and yanks off her shoes and socks, one at a time. When she stands, she can see why she's met no resistance from her wife. She's passed out completely. She's sound asleep and snoring softly.
Regina stares at her for a moment. Even drunk, she's so goddamn beautiful. Well, at least she's home and safe. She can't help but wonder where Emma went. She doesn't bother to undress her anymore or even move her to leave space for herself in the bed, because frankly, she doesn't have the energy.
She gathers the duvet from the other bedroom and covers her up, leaning down to place a kiss on her wife's cheek. She can't resist. She can feel Emma flex her hips forward but she's still asleep.
Regina flexes her hand across Emma's golden locks, staring at her for a moment. She leans down to kiss her temple. "I love you, Emma. Even when you're drunk and you've been out God knows where, I love you. I'll always love you."
"Hmm," Emma murmurs. Regina kisses her wife's temple once more and bends down to pick up her jacket that is pooled by the floor, by her feet. She feels her phone slip out of her pocket and bends down to pick it up, placing it on the nightstand beside their bed. Her thumb accidentally unlocks the home screen, exposing a few texts, including a new one that just comes in.
M: It was good to see you tonight. I understand now. Don't fret. You'll make a wonderful mother.
Regina turns to look at Emma, as if waiting for an explanation that she wasn't getting tonight. What the fuck? It's from her. Mrs. Malorie Dragon Lady Lincoln.
Shit. That's where Emma went. She's been with her.