Emma Swan's car broke down in the middle of a small town called Storybrooke. She was nine months pregnant and still trying to figure out how to keep her baby. When she gave birth in Storybrooke, the mayor actually visited her. The two women talked for hours. Regina had fallen in love with the baby and Emma could tell. The mayor invited the new mother and her son to live with her. Emma named her son Henry Daniel as a thank you to the woman taking them in. When Emma and baby Henry were discharged, Regina picked them up and took them to her home. The blonde had tried to talk to Regina at one point, but the mayor appeared to ignore her. Emma spoke louder and the mayor apologized before appearing to listen. Later that day, Emma tapped Regina on the shoulder. The mayor turned around and saw the young woman holding something in the palm of her hand. Regina took the item and put it in place. "Is that why you were having trouble hearing me earlier?" Emma asked.

"Yes," Regina said.

"Why weren't you wearing it?"

"I just don't like to. It's embarrassing and I don't really need it."

"I was standing right in front of you and you couldn't hear me. Your hair will hide the hearing aid. Me yelling at you so you can hear me will be more obvious."

"It's just that people already know I have trouble moving around sometimes."

"That's okay too. Besides, how will you hear Henry scream? I can't allow myself to be the only one experiencing that," Emma said sarcastically and made Regina smile.

Regina began wearing her hearing aid as she was supposed to. While it annoyed her at first, she loved the sound of Henry's cooing and giggles. She had even decided to get pregnant herself. Emma fully supported the decision and the two even began dating. Regina had felt terribly guilty about lying to Emma. She figured out who the young woman was and was conflicted about telling her the truth. Emma noticed that Regina was stressed out almost all the time lately. Stress would affect Regina's body and cause her to need her cane. "Honey, come here," Emma said when she saw Regina slowly descending the staircase. The blonde walked up to make sure her girlfriend made it down safely. She had Regina take her arm and the two walked to the living room where Emma helped the mayor sit. Emma sat across from her. "What's been bothering you lately?" Emma saw the color drain from Regina's face. "This isn't good for the baby. Just tell me."

"You'll hate me if I do. You'll take Henry and leave me."

"No, I won't."

Regina began to cry, "I've done some terrible things in the past. Things that have indirectly hurt you and have hurt your parents."

"What are you talking about?"

"If you take me to the cemetery, I can better explain."

"First, tell me you didn't kill my parents."

"I didn't, but that doesn't mean that I didn't try...a lot."

Emma was confused, but it appeared to be tearing Regina up inside. The blonde helped her girlfriend to her feet, called Granny to babysit, and drove to the cemetery. Regina had Emma move the casket in her father's crypt. Emma helped Regina down the steps and was in shock. "What's that noise?"

"The hearts I took while in the Enchanted Forest."

"Hearts? Enchanted Forest?"

Regina had some ingredients to make a potion and prove to Emma what she was about to tell her. She looked down and saw something new. "Dear, could you pick that up for me, please?"

"Sure," Emma picked up the book and Regina sat down. The blonde handed the book to Regina.

Regina opened the book and knew instantly what it was, "here," she handed it back to Emma. "This is what I was talking about."

Emma read the story of Snow White, silently. She closed the book when she was finished, "is this a joke?"

"No," Regina answered. Emma put the book down and stood up. She began walking away, "Emma!"

"I need to take a walk," she yelled back. Regina began to panic and think that Emma wouldn't come back. She took out a spellbook and gathered ingredients. Regina began to mix the potion. About a half-hour later, "what are you doing?" Emma asked softly.

Regina looked up in shock, "I didn't think you'd come back."

"You didn't answer my question."

"I'm making a forgetting potion so that when you and Henry leave, I can forget you and not have to feel any emotional pain."

"I want to break the curse."

"Unfortunately, that can't be done until you're twenty-eight."

"I guess I'll wait."

"I guess I'll see you then."

"I'm not leaving."

"Why not?"

"Because I love you."

Regina stopped mixing her potion and looked up, "you what?"

"I love you."

"You've never said that before."

"I think I was afraid to admit it."

"I love you too."

Emma smiled, "stop mixing that and let's go home."

Regina bottled the potion, "will you put this in that box on the top shelf?"

"Sure," Emma did as she was asked. When she turned, she saw Regina sitting again. "You okay?"

"I just need to sit for a moment."

Emma helped Regina to her feet and up the stairs. When they got home, she needed Granny to help get Regina up to bed.

The next day Regina was unable to get out of bed. She felt terrible about the fact that Emma had to take care of both her and Henry. Regina was propped up in bed by pillows. Emma was in and out of the room all day. "Are you getting hungry?" Emma asked when she walked into the bedroom around lunchtime.
Regina slowly turned her head to look at Emma, "not really, but I know I need to eat."

"How about some broth and noodles for now?"

"That's fine."

Emma went back down to make Regina lunch. She sat in the room while her girlfriend slowly ate. The blonde nursed Henry while waiting for Regina to finish. "If you want, I can help you once Henry is finished."

"You might have to."

Regina was so weak, she could hardly lift the spoon. Eventually, she gave up until Emma was finished nursing. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No, I just have to rest and see when I can stand on my feet again."

"So, before I came along, who helped you when this happened?"

"Did you see anyone hanging around me when you first arrived? No one helped me." The answer was said a lot harsher than Regina realized.

"How did you take care of yourself?"

"I just did." Regina started hearing a beeping. She took her hearing aid out, "it's dying."

Emma took the device and went to change the battery. She returned once it had a new battery and held it out to Regina. The mayor was exhausted and it showed. Emma gently put the hearing aid in place. "I'll leave you alone so you can rest. Just let me know if you need anything." Emma left the room and began to cry. Regina had never spoken to her that way before and it appeared to not phase the brunette. Emma walked into the bedroom later that night to get ready for bed. Regina was already asleep. Emma decided to sleep on the chaise that night. She didn't want to leave Regina alone and had a feeling that Regina wouldn't want her in bed.

Regina woke up during the night. She rolled over to discover Emma's side of the bed still made up. She shakily sat up and noticed the blonde asleep on the chaise. Regina carefully eased herself out of bed and grabbed her cane before standing. She made her way over to the chaise and nudged the sleeping woman. "Emma," she whispered, "Emma, wake up."

Emma's eyes opened, "what's wrong?" she asked sleepily.

"You fell asleep over here. Come to bed."

"I'm sleeping here tonight."

Regina was confused, "why?"

"You're mad at me and I didn't want to upset you if you woke up next to me."

"Why would you think I'm mad at you?"

"I'm tired," she groaned, "can we talk about this later?"

Emma fell back asleep and Regina stood there for a moment. She slowly returned to bed but didn't fall asleep. She sat in bed staring at Emma all night and wondering what made her sleep somewhere else for the first time since they became a couple.