Ruby damn near broke the door off its hinges as she burst into the diner. Emma and Henry were having lunch and jumped when she came in. "Granny! They're coming! Come on, I got Whale on standby." Granny designated one of the other waitresses to take over and teleported off with the wolf. Ruby lead her to the bedroom where Zelena was laying, panting and grunting. "Regina's contractions aren't as close." Whale bent next to his patient and helped her to get into position.
"Just breathe, Z. This'll be over soon." Mulan said.
"I was a fake midwife, Lani, I know the drill." Zelena replied.
Ruby sent Granny to Belle's room and went to check on her mate. Tink was by her side. The queen was breathing slowly and deeply, keeping calm. "Everything alright?"
"She's fine." Tink answered. "Wish you guys could've given us at least an hour or two between births."
"Ruby." Regina growled. "I'm going to kill you."
"What did I do?"
"You did this to me." The queen snapped. She leaned her head back and Ruby sat next to her, holding her hand. Tink timed her contractions. A few minutes later, Zelena's screams could be heard all throughout the den. Whale started yelling for her to push.
"Just stay calm, Regina. I called Mal. She's on her way." Tink said soothingly. Regina nodded, gritting her teeth whenever she felt a contraction but never screaming. Ruby kissed her hair and held on tightly to her hand.
"You know, it just now occurs to me that we have not even discussed names, Regina." Ruby murmured. "What are you thinking? Maybe Daniel, if it's a boy?"
"You don't know the gender?" Mal asked as she burst into the room.
"No. We want it to be a surprise." Regina hissed through gritted teeth. "And I don't want to name the baby after someone else. They will be the first of their name."
"You guys watch too much Game of Thrones." Tink muttered.
"I fucking hate that show." Regina scoffed.
"You used to love it." Ruby frowned.
"Everyone dies, Ruby!"
"Your favorite character died so you stop watching the show?"
"As long as the Mother of Dragons lives, I'm perfectly fine." Mal smiled. She lifted Regina's dress and her smile faded. "Regina, the baby is crowning, why aren't you screaming?" Regina gave her a death glare. "Relax, it's almost time to start pushing." The dragon got into position and Tink brought her some gloves and towels. Regina started breathing especially hard. Then the screaming started. "You're doing good, dear. Push!" Ruby collapsed to her knees as Regina squeezed her hand for all it was worth. "Come on, Regina, push!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
/
Regina sighed, holding their tiny baby boy in her arms. He was so beautiful, so perfect. Ruby kissed her hair and nuzzled her neck affectionately. "You know, Miss Lucas, I think this is the only time in my life, where I'm actually glad to be Regina Mills."
"You have a lot more to love about Regina Mills." Ruby replied. "By the way, I win."
"I suppose you do." Regina smiled and kissed their son's forehead. "What'll we name him?"
"I don't know." Ruby said, kissing their son as well. "He looks like you. Some kind of variation of your name?"
Regina shook her head. "What about Jack? Simple, strong and timeless. Jack the Giant Slayer doesn't count since that wasn't her real name."
"Jack it is then."
The amount of happiness and pride that Regina felt just could not be put into words. She was almost shaking with excitement at having her own child, starting her own family. Less than a year before she'd been wasting away and now...she looked up at Ruby and saw nothing but love shining through her eyes. Her heart just wanted to burst. It almost physically hurt to feel so much love. "Do you think he won't mind being the son of the Evil Queen?" She asked.
"He's not Henry, Regina. He is our son, and he is going to love you so much you won't know what to do." Ruby replied. "Your heart will be his example. Strong, resilient and brave."
Regina wiped away a few tears. "And yours. Loyal, fearless and beautiful." She sighed when Ruby leaned her head against hers. "I never thought life could be so perfect." She kissed Ruby's temple and handed her their son to hold for the first time.
Granny came in and announced that Zelena had had a boy as well that she named Benjamin. Belle was with Whale and still in labor. "She's having twins."
"She and Zelena are gonna be exhausted." Ruby commented, bouncing their little one. "We'll have to get some stuff from the store. I'm not even sure what a diaper is made of, much less how to conjure one."
"I'll take care of everything once I've rested." Regina sighed. She was quite tired.
"Go to sleep. We'll be right here when you wake up." Ruby promised. She nodded to Mal and Tink, who quickly went to check on their favorite bookworm. Regina's eyes sagged closed after that. When she awoke a few hours later, Ruby was curled up with their little Jack in her arms. She got up to take a shower and when she returned Ruby had cleaned the room and was feeding Jack. She settled back on the bed with her back against the headboard and Ruby placed Jack in her arms.
"Belle had two fraternal twins. Both boys."
"She and Zelena name them yet?"
"Aaron and Spencer." Ruby stretched out next to her and watched as she fed Jack. "Four little boys added to our pack."
"Indeed. It's what you get for building a pack of all females." Regina smirked.
"Emma's calling nonstop. She wants to know if we're going to announce the births."
Regina scoffed. "I don't give a damn about that town and anyone in it. I moved away for a reason. Honestly, I would rather not even go back there unless it's necessary."
Ruby nodded. "We should make sure the nursery is good and we have to make sure we have a steady supply of milk."
Regina frowned as she looked up. "Is this formula milk?"
Ruby smirked mischievously. "No."
"This...is my breast milk. How did you…?"
"Magic of course." Ruby grinned. "But anyways," she said, getting back to business. "I'm gonna head to the store in Storybrooke and make sure we have what we need." Regina conjured a list for her. "I'll be back in a little bit. I promise." Regina smiled and nodded, almost purring with pleasure and Ruby's desire to stay as close as possible to her newly expanded pack. She teleported off and Regina went to the nursery that was only half done. They'd really slacked on its design due to being large and lazy, but a little magic could easily fix it. Belle was sitting in a rocking chair with her little one and Zelena was lounging on a lounge chair feeding Benjamin, while Granny was in her own rocking chair with the other twin. The other pack members were cooing over the new arrivals and begging to hold them. The four little babes could not have been surrounded by more love if they tried.
/
Ruby filled the shopping cart until it was overflowing with triple the amount of everything Regina had asked for her to get plus some other necessary groceries.
"Ruby!" Emma nearly got fried as she raced over. "What happened? Is everyone alright? What are their names?"
Ruby ignored her for a moment as she went over everything in the cart. "Yeah, everything's fine. The births went great. Belle had twins."
"What?!"
"Emma, please calm down. I'm trying to make sure I have everything for Gina." She checked her list and went to check out.
"Tell me more about them, Ruby, don't hold out." Emma pressed, following at her heels. Not far behind her was Henry.
"All of them are boys. Our son's name is Jack. Zelena and Belle's sons are Benjamin, Aaron and Spencer."
"When can I meet them?"
Ruby shrugged as the cashier rang up her stuff. "Probably later. They're tired and we have to finish the nursery."
Emma frowned. "I have a feeling that you don't want me around." She stepped in front of the wolf as she paid the $400 for all her groceries. "What's wrong?"
"I really have to get home. We have a lot to do." Ruby said simply. She teleported herself and her things back to the den and magically put everything away. She went into the nursery and smiled, ready to burst with happiness at seeing her friends and family all gathered together around her little ones. This was her pack and it was growing even more beautiful by the day. Regina looked up and smiled. She smiled back and quickly walked forward to sit next to her mate and son. "I love you, Regina."
"I love you too, dear. I'm also starving. Do you mind fixing me something to eat?"
"Not at all, babe." She kissed Regina's forehead and stood up. "Who's hungry, ladies?" Everyone raised their hands. "Alright, fine. Mulan, Mal, come help me in the kitchen." What surprised her more than anything was Maleficent actually complying to her command. She looked at Regina and pointed at the dragon with a grin. Regina rolled her eyes.
"It's only because she's hungry too." The queen called as they went into the mansion kitchen. They were in the process of making a kitchen inside the mountain but Zelena was in charge of that so Ruby didn't really bother with it.
"Alright, they need something filling and healthy. Suggestions?" Ruby asked, opening the fully stocked refrigerator.
"Meat." Mal answered, reaching into the freezer and pulling a slab of beef.
"Vegetable soup?" Mulan suggested with a shrug.
"Alright. Let's make it happen. Maybe some omelettes too."
"Or just cook some of everything." Maleficent grinned.
"I like the way you think." Ruby grinned back. They fixed a full course meal and carried everything to their pack mothers and sisters to devour.
The next few weeks passed in a blur. A very exhausting blur filled with sleepless nights, not necessarily from crying babies but from the mothers staying up even after they'd soothed their little ones. Ruby had the pack finally finish the nursery and added in the kitchen. Regina fully destroyed her mansion, although she did remove everything of value and took some of the architectural styles to add to the den. The den became more than a mountain and instead after making some vast changes, it resembled more of a palace atop a pedestal with great waterfalls pouring out of it. It was marvelous to behold and what Ruby felt her mate and pack truly deserved. Emma didn't come by until after these renovations were made and her jaw hit the floor when she saw it.
Regina was sitting in the shade beneath her tree, holding Jack, when the blonde arrived with Ruby. The she-wolf's eyes were glowing and the queen could feel her unease. It was a natural tendency to want almost no one near their pup.
"Regina, he's so perfect. He looks like you." Emma said, sitting next to her.
"Yes he is, but I think he's more like Ruby." Regina kissed Jack's cheek and he smiled a little. "He's going to be the most handsome man in Storybrooke when he gets older."
"I'll bet." Emma smiled. "May I hold him?"
"Be very careful." Regina cautioned as she gently handed over her child. She watched closely as the blonde held her baby.
"You guys have changed a lot of stuff." Emma commented. Regina said nothing. "Think maybe Henry could come see it?"
"No." Regina said without hesitation.
"What?"
"Henry is no longer my son and I won't have you trying to force us back in each other's lives. It should be his decision. Besides, I don't want a lot of people knowing the location of our den."
"Anyone could follow Maleficent when she flies here." Emma pointed out. "And Henry is your son. I know you haven't given up on him."
Ruby let out an involuntary growl as she stepped forward. "Maleficent never flies directly here and Henry…" she paused for emphasis. "Is your son. He made that pretty clear and now there is no paper trying to force the belief that the Evil Queen is his mother. He gave up on Regina a long time and she held out on the belief he would come around. He hasn't...and he never will."
"What the hell is your problem?" Emma demanded, standing up. Regina's eyes grew wide as she quickly rose to take her child.
"I don't have one." Ruby replied, eyes glowing. "I do know one thing: you and that bastard town are what made Regina want to leave in the first place and I've accepted you, that you're friends with Regina, but now you want to steadily reintroduce her to the idiots that treated her like shit. What's next? Dinner with the Charmings?"
"Did you just call my son an idiot?" Emma demanded.
Regina sighed and cooed over Jack to make sure he didn't start fussing due to the increasing volume of the angry females nearby.
Ruby noticed and raised her hands in surrender. "Regina gave you her answer. No one else comes here. No one should try to find us. Got it?"
Emma glared at her. "Yeah I got it you two-faced bitch. Send me home."
"Walk." Ruby growled, teleporting her to the edge of town.
"That wasn't nice." Regina sang.
Ruby sighed and visibly relaxed. "I know, but I don't like the idea of more people coming here and I don't like her trying to shove Henry down your throat."
"I'm fine, Miss Lucas."
"Because you left them in the dust and went after your happy ending instead of trying to beg for scraps of affection from them." She walked towards Regina and leaned her forehead against hers. "They are the past. You should get to decide if you want them to be a part of your future or not."
Regina gently touched her cheek and tilted her head down for a tender kiss. "My future is here, with our pack. Calm down, tiger. There's no need to mark your territory when I am already utterly yours. Okay?" Ruby slowly nodded and Regina kissed her again. "Come on, Jack wants a kiss to make you feel better." Ruby smiled and kissed Jack's cheek. "Feel better?"
"Much."
Regina scowled as her phone rang and she handed the baby over to Ruby before answering. "Emma, didn't we just meet?"
"You should come to the edge of town." Emma said. "The borders are open again."
/
"This is no coincidence." Maleficent said, standing next to the worried mothers. "The aging spell being enacted just before your pregnancies were announced, the borders being unsealed just after their births." She turned to Regina. "Your children are the key. The aging spell didn't affect them or else you would still be pregnant."
"Whoever's doing this wants them to be a certain age?" The queen asked.
"Most likely. It also means they're probably safe for now. I'll patrol from now on." She looked at Emma. "By the way...I quit. This is gonna be a full time job and I have had enough of dealing with petty annoyances like people." She shuddered. "Or worse…dwarves."
Emma looked at Lily. "Mind taking over?"
"Hire your dad and Neal as deputies and we can work something out." Lily said.
Emma frowned. "Why?"
"Because I'm not sheriffing alone while my mom is patrolling and I have four new packmates to help care for. I know they exactly need me but you know I wanna be there."
The blonde nodded. "How about we talk about it tonight?"
Lily nodded and looked at Regina and Mal for further instruction. Both Queens waved her away and the couple teleported off while the two queens returned to the den.
/
Emma watched Lily sit down on her couch and sat down as well. "What's going on?" Things had been going so well between all of them, she just didn't understand the sudden hostility with Ruby and the reluctance of her girlfriend.
"They're my pack." Lily said. "They were there when my mom couldn't be and for that, they have my loyalty. I care about you and my job and I'll be your sheriff, but you have to understand that most of my time will be spent with them, helping find out what the hell's going on and protecting the little ones."
She'd expected it. Emma sighed and looked down at her lap. She'd been hoping for one supportive person that was on her side before everything else, but it was foolish of her to think that that would be Lily. "I'm sorry if I pressured you."
"It's fine." Lily smiled with a shake of her head. She gently touched the mayor's thigh and tilted her head to make Emma look her in the eye. "Everything's going to be fine."
"Why doesn't Ruby want me around?" Emma asked. "I thought we were past all of the jealousy."
"A wolf sees anyone who isn't a member of her pack as a threat to her young. Her wolf is probably rearing its ugly head because she feels so protective. I wouldn't worry over it."
Emma glanced upstairs. "Regina doesn't want anything to do with Henry."
"There is a reason for that." Lily shrugged.
"He regrets it. I knew he would." Emma whispered. Her son was often asking her about his former adoptive mother now, albeit discretely. It was clear to her that he missed Regina and she hoped that one day they could reconcile. But Regina wanted nothing to do with him. She wanted nothing to do with Storybrooke anymore.
"This is all about Regina?" Lily slowly frowned and leaned away. "You did all of this, played nice, so you could get to Regina. You, her and Henry? Perfect family?"
"No! No, Lily, you know how I feel about you." Emma pleaded, quickly kissing the dragon's lips. "I'm over Regina. Why else would I move on?"
Lily slowly relaxed. "Sorry. I know how much you loved her."
Love. Emma wanted to correct, but she held her tongue for now. She still loved Regina and always would. The queen would always have a special place in her heart and she would be lying if she said she never considered that perfect family picture with her, Regina and Henry.
"I think I should go." Lily abruptly stood up and made for the door. "I'll see you later, Madam Mayor."
Emma bit her lip, watching her leave. Why did she feel like Lily had just read her thoughts?
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After the first year, Ruby found herself falling in love with being a parent. Jack was unarguably the most wonderful son she could ever ask for and she adored her new nephews as well. Zelena turned out to be a very protective mother, while Belle was the less restricting of the two. Ruby was shocked to say the least at Regina's new way of being a mother. She came home one day from a morning run and it was lightly raining outside, to find none other than Regina Mills dancing in the rain with Jack splashing in the puddles. Natasha Bedingfield's Unwritten was playing loudly out of a speaker. Soon, the other packmembers had joined in, dancing and having fun. Ruby wagged her tail and shifted into human form to happily race forward to kiss her mate and pick up her son to spin him around, making him squeal with laughter. It was the first time any of the kids had been in the rain and they were enjoying every second.
They baby proofed the entire den and Regina built infloatable passages for the kids with trampoline floors and slides. It was a little kid's dream come true. And absolute paradise for their mothers.
Ruby found Regina and Zelena watching over the kids for the night.
"Freedom." Regina said. "If he learns no other lesson from us, it will be to never let anyone take your freedom. He's free to do anything he wants and be anyone he wants to be."
"I want my boys to be wicked." Zelena said. Regina looked up at her in confusion. "Not to be malicious, but to know who they are and accept it, be their true authentic self and damn what anyone else thinks. That they are powerful and can do anything they set their eyes upon. Nothing will restrict them."
The sisters shared a smile and looked back down at their little ones. "They are perfect and will grow to be greater than even us."
Ruby smiled as she stepped forward, kissing both of them on the cheek. "They have the most beautiful mothers in the world watching out for them. They'll be alright." Regina and Zelena both leaned against her. A moment later, she felt Belle slide in for a hug.
"No one told me we were hugging." The bookworm said sleepily.
Ruby chuckled and kissed her on the head. This was her pack. She almost couldn't believe it. The darkness didn't even matter to her anymore. True, there were some days she was left sitting in the bathtub, shaking with cold sweat and struggling to fight off the overwhelming blackness. Every time, every time, Regina found her and sat with her and simply held her hand while she caressed Daniel's ring and thought bright things, happy things. Now, she brought Jack with her and his presence made it all better instantly. Once, when it was particularly bad, the entire pack had come and sat in the bathroom until the spell had subsided. They were true friends and she considered true family.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sneaking out was something he was known for, but he didn't do it too often any more. Henry easily slipped out while his mother was trying and failing to get in contact with Lily. He made his way into the forest nearby and sat down near the quiet trail. It was almost midnight. They were right on time.
There was a great dark brown wolf at the head. A sleek black one walked at her side. He knew who they were. Ruby and Regina, his former mother. Between them walked a tiny wolf pup, tripping over his own paws as he followed his mothers. It was Regina's new son. The rest of the pack followed in their pawsteps, three other little wolves playing between their legs. One big happy family.
He looked down, remembering when Regina used to be his mother. All the promises she broke, the people she hurt for her own happiness. She was the Evil Queen and she wasn't his real mother. She didn't want him anymore anyway.
When he looked back up, he jumped at the sight of Regina standing directly in front of him, towering over him with a curious expression in her intelligent eyes. She snorted, blasting him with hot air. Between her paws was her wolf cub. Henry knew that his name was Jack from Emma talking about him.
Jack bared his teeth and growled, fluffing out his fur to make himself impressive. Henry cautiously took a step back and Jack leaped forward, knocking the boy onto his butt.
"Get away from me." Henry hissed.
Regina growled softly as she lowered her head next to Jack for the little cub to brush up against lovingly. The queen let out a long howl before picking up Jack by the scruff of his neck and melting away into the forest, as though she were never here.
Emma came barrelling out of the forest a second later. "Henry, what the hell are you doing out here in the middle of the night?!"
"I saw them." Henry said. "She didn't say anything. She just...looked at me."
"Henry." Emma crouched down in front of her son. "Regina sees us as her past and she doesn't want us in her future."
"But you and her are friends."
"I asked her, Henry. She said no. We'll just have to make our own happy ending I guess."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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