Thank you so much for the support already, I'm glad you like it so far, I wasn't sure about a dragon queen fic, so that's great to hear. Reviews and prompts are always welcome, and as always, I hope you enjoy!
References: Green Eggs and Ham, Dr. Seuss, 1960
Regina used one of her saved vacation days to stay home. She couldn't eat, she couldn't sleep, she didn't feel like going anywhere but staying in bed. How was she infertile? Her periods were regular, she was healthy, she was 30, so she wasn't too old.
Lily felt bad for Regina. She knew she was sad yesterday, but she didn't know what. Mal was in the kitchen, baking cookies for Regina, while Lily was in the living room, colouring a card for her.
Together, they went next door and rang her doorbell. It took a minute for Regina to get dressed and reach her door, and she was surprised to find Lily and Mal standing outside. She offered a batch of cookes in the container Regina gave the lasagna in, and Lily held up a card with a dragon drawn on the front.
"May we come in?" Mal asked. Regina hesitated, but honestly wanted the company.
"Sure, come in," She muttered. Lily ran inside and looked around.
"Wow, you have a big house, who do you share it with?" Asked Lily. Regina shrugged.
"Nobody," She said sincerely. Lily turned around and Regina looked into her big brown eyes. She could tell the child felt sympathy for her.
Regina led them both in to the dining room, where Mal and Regina talked quietly, while Lily played in the other room.
"I'm so sorry, I can't imagine what that may feel like." Mal said, holding her hand. Regina nodded wistfully.
"I don't even know why I wanted a kid," she admitted, "other than for making me feel less...lonely. You never want something until you know you can't have it," she admitted.
"I get it. I never wanted a kid until I found out I was having Lily. Her father didn't feel the same so he left me with her. She hadn't even been born when he left me." She whispered.
"Pardon me for asking, but is that why you moved here?" She asked. Mal looked at her with worryful eyes.
"Partly, but we just wanted to get away from our old life entirely." Regina nodded. They sat there in silence for a bit, just consoling each other without words.
"Thank you," muttered Regina, "you're the only person I've told, and it really helps, having you talk me through it." Mal nodded.
"If there's anything you need, just call me," she said, and slid a piece of paper with her number on it to her. Regina nodded. Lily came from the living room.
"Thank you, Lily, the card was wonderful," she said. Lily hugged her legs, "you could be an artist one day." Lily hugged her even tighter.
"Alright, Lily, say goodbye to Regina." Lily waved and Regina closed the door behind them, not bothering to conceal the smile on her face.
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A few days later, her life seemed to go back to normal. She waved to Lily and Mal everyday before work and sometimes Lily and Mal would invite her over for dinner.
She got a call from Mal, asking if she could babysit Lily for the evening while she worked late. She agreed and left to pick her up from preschool.
Lily's eyes lit up when she saw Regina standing by the door to pick her up. She drove them home and unlocked the door to her house. Lily ran into the living room and sat on the couch. Regina turned the T.V. On and pulled out some colouring things and paper.
Regina began making supper as Lily presented a picture of a dragon and a princess.
"Look what I made!" Exclaimed Lily. Regina smiled.
"What did you draw?" She asked, "ooh, very nice. What pleasant colours! And look at those lines! Straight A's can be, a perfect ten!" Regina said. Lily giggled and ran back to the room. She found a pile of books in the corner of the room set out for her.
"Regina! Can you read me a story?" Lily called from the other room. Regina was just plating the food.
"One second…" she replied.
Regina found the little girl under a blanket, holding a book up to her.
"Green Eggs and Ham…" she started.
As they finished their supper, Mal knocked on the door.
"I'll get it!" Yelled Lily, as she sprinted to the door. Regina could hear her greet Mal.
"Hi mommy!" She said. Mal laughed.
"Hey, buttercup, what're you up to?" She asked. Lily dragged her inside to show the drawing, their food, and the book they read.
"So you had fun?" She asked. Lily bounced up and down.
"Yeah!" She shouted. Mal picked her up and twirled her around.
"Were you being good for her?" She asked.
"Yes, mommy."
"That's my girl," Mal said and placed her down on the ground.
"Would you like supper?" Regina asked," I have lots more shepherds pie."
"That would be lovely." After they ate, Lily wanted to watch a movie, so they sat on the couch and watched Sleeping Beauty, until she was tuckered out and drifting asleep.
"Thank you," Mal whispered.
"No problem. Call me anytime you need someone to watch her."
"Will do," she said, and carried a sleeping princess out the door. Maybe I didn't need a kid after all, Regina thought.
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As Regina and Lily we're getting closer, so were Mal and Regina. They found themselves talking when Lily would be playing in the living room, they made supper together at Mal's place, and Regina would be more than willing to babysit for Lily.
Regina was just getting home from work on a Friday night, when Lily bounded over to Regina.
"Mommy is taking me to a zoo tomorrow. Can you come?" She asked sweetly. Mal ran over to her.
"Honey, I'm sure Regina has things to do tomorrow," Mal intervened.
"Actually, I don't. If you don't mind the company, I could use a day out of the house,"Regina said.
"Can she come?" Lily asked.
"Of course she can," Mal said. Lily hopped all over the place, hugging her mom, than Regina again.
"Thank you, mommy," she whispered as Mal picked her up. Regina smiled at the gesture.
"See you tomorrow," she called.