The night she returned from her encounter with her beloved Sister, she was absolutely seething.

And to make things worse, was in excruciating pain, something that she had not expected, something she never saw coming, and she didn't like it one bit.

"She's not supposed to have that in her. She's as dark as they get, HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE." Zelena screeched as she approached Rumples cage.

"What? Did you expect it would be that easy? Just meet Regina, and take her out just like that? I can see now why our beloved Cora gave you up." Rumple giggled as he spun his gold.

"DON'T START WITH ME!" Zelena seethed. "You told me yourself you idiot, you said she only had dark magic, and what she did to me, THIS, is not dark magic you imbecile!" She screamed, as she tore the broken fabric of her abdomen, revealing a nasty glowing burn, running side to side.

"The problem with you, dearie, is that you've underestimated your sister yet again. Try as you might, you will not bring Regina down. Her heart, and her magic, even if she doesn't know it, will be stronger than yours. She is a creature of resilience, she has something in her that will give her the power she needs to end you. You'll do well to realize that when you get over your jealous rage." Rumble spoke as he stopped spinning his gold, to lock his eyes with hers.

"You have no idea what I'm capable of, or what my intentions are with her. By the time I'm finished you will regret the day you choose her over me. You and everyone else will be at my mercy, and Regina, Regina well, I've got a special plan just for her, dearie." Said Zelena as she stormed out of the room. It was time to stop playing games, it was time to get things in motion.

It was time for the real fun to begin. There was no room for error in her plans, and Regina's magic catching some light would simply not do.

Her sister had taken enough from her, she wasn't about to allow her the chance to discover her new power, no she would end it before she even knew what hit her.

/

It's been a month, and her sister has been far too quiet for her liking.

Not one attack, not one simian beast seen in the sky.

Nothing.

She's been spending more and more time with her head stuck in a book than what she's seen the light of day. Some call it hiding, she says it's strategizing.

It's also been a month since that fateful night at the ball, and to be honest she still doesn't know what to make of the people around her. She didn't know how to react to the smiles she received from the people in the hallways. Diminishing looks she could deal with, but people openly and genuinely smiling at her, it was nerve racking. She had spent her whole life without one caring soul until Henry came along, and now, now people actually respected her, spoke to her without the fear she was once accustomed to. So instead of coming to terms with it, she's spending her days and some nights in a library trying to figure out what her sister is planning. It's easier to deal with she tells herself.

But her research has come to a grinding halt.

Amidst her search in the library she came across a book, one describing the magic in Oz, when she came across a makeshift calendar. Outdated as it may have been, it finally snapped in her head.

She was late.

Not just a couple days late, no, more like three weeks late.

And just like that, her sister became the least of her worries for the time being.

She felt her world begin to crumble under her feet, as guilt and betrayal drowned her.

She wasn't supposed to bear a child, not when the King did everything in his power to destroy any and all chances she had until she finally made sure it wouldn't happen again.

She stood, book in hand, eyes lost into the abyss, as her body refused to move another centimeter. A child. A baby.

"What am I supposed to do?" She asked into the void, praying to whatever god there was that someone would give her an answer.

"Do with what Regina?" Tinkerbell asked as she stepped into the library, snapping Regina out of her trance, giving her a heart attack in the process enough to make her fall into her chair.

"TINKERBELL!" Regina exclaimed as she got her bearings together. "What the hell!"

"What's the matter with you, you look like you just saw a ghost or something. Did you find anything new?" Tink asked innocently, noticing the fearful eyes of her long ago friend.

Regina didn't know what to say, her mind was going faster than the earth, her thoughts a mess, and all she wanted to do was cry, cry for the fate of whatever is growing inside her. Taking a chance she whispered out to Tink, hoping that the fairy she knew way back when, would give her the answers she so desperately needed.

"I'm late."

"You're late? Regina what are you talking about?" The fairy asked.

"Tink. I'm. Late."

"Late for what breakfast, lunch, and dinner? You've been holed up in this library for days Regina, you need to eat."

Growing impatient, Regina stood, dropping her book, and looking at the fairies eyes, trying to tell her what was happening, with all the emotion thick in her voice, she tried again, "Tinkerbell, I'm late."

Staring questioningly at Regina, it was clear to her something was happening, there was a raging storm in her eyes, fear and confusion written all over them, but it wasn't until she saw Regina place her hand on her abdomen that the light bulb went off in her head.

Green eyes blown wide, her hand coming to cover her mouth, "Oh my god, Regina."

"...how… what… It's Robins isn't?"

But before Regina could even answer the fairy went on.

"I've seen you together, you two have been inseparable, and I know you've seen what is on his arms, but Regina, how late, is late" Tink questioned as she stepped closer to Regina, sitting them both down on the couch near them.

The three weeks Regina answered could have been easily missed had the Fairy not been keen to paying attention.

"I can find out for sure if you'd let me." Tink hesitantly asked, yet she couldn't suppress the chuckle when Regina whipped her head up to meet her eyes, as scared as she knew Regina was, she would need answers before facing reality.

"I'm sure it's nothing, there's no way I could be carrying a child Tink, it's not possible. Not after everything I've been through. It's not possible. I can't, not now not eve-"

"Regina, just breath okay, we'll figure this out one way or another, but why don't we find out first okay?" Tink said she stood from beside her, "Now just take a breath, and lay down on the couch okay."

Fearfully nodding, Regina laid back on the couch, fisting her hands at her sides, and shutting her eyes closed, she flinched slightly when she felt Tinkerbells flow of magic running through her.

She didn't bother opening them when she felt the magic leave her, Tink's silence told her the answer she wasn't sure she could hear, the answer that brought fear seeping into her veins, an answer that would change every single aspect of her life.

Not sure how to give such news, Tink knew honestly was the only way.

"You're pregnant."

/

Regina did the one thing she knew best.

She ran.

Outright bolted out of the room, and ran. Her mind couldn't process it, her heart clenched at the thought of having a child, and her soul wanted so desperately to believe it. But she couldn't allow herself that, no she knew what it would lead to, she knew the pain that would come, the heartbreak. But she wasn't sure she could survive it this time, not when she knew who fathered the child. Oh God Robin.

She didn't know where she was running to, her feet carried her on auto pilot, she didn't register the yells of her name from the fairy, or the little boy who crossed her path, missing the collision by a mere second, she had to get out, she needed air.

She felt the tears before she even registered them, her chest heaving frantically in hopes of getting air, but it was no use as her vision blurred and her life turned upside down.

It was when she finally managed to get out into the gardens, and felt the rain from the raging storm outside hit her face that she dropped to her knees.

Could this truly be happening? After all the times she'd lost this sense of hope, after going through the unimaginable pain of losing this ray of light time and time again, she felt her lungs constrict at just the thoughts alone. Her cries wracked her body, the rain soaking her to her skin, the wind blowing her hair from side to side. She couldn't even open her eyes, for if she did she would see the black spots that would have invaded her vision, the sense of fear and hope running like wild fire through her veins, yet panic settled deep in her bones.

She barely registered the arms that wrapped around her, the only man who would be brave enough to go near her in such a state, but she couldn't tell what hurt most. The idea of losing this child, or the fact that after all this time, it was her soul mate who placed this miracle inside her. After all the trauma, would she even stand a chance to carry this ray of light?

She was so tired, she couldn't breathe, her sobs were overpowering, the frantic cry of her name from him did nothing to sooth her.

All she could do was cry, as she bent over, her hand finding its way to her still flat abdomen, knowing she wouldn't see the day it would round.

It's all she could think of as the world around her went dark.

/

ENCHANTED FOREST

She was early enough that she could fix the issue at hand. She recognized the signs all too well, her last one leaving a long impression upon her body, and soul. She wouldn't put herself through that again, not when there was someone to fix it. So here she was, dressed in clothing she'd stolen from the maid's corridors, a hood covered her face, for her body and face screamed Queen to others, she couldn't risk being seen. Not here, and not ever.

She's heard the stories of passing maids, she knows what the woman behind the door would do for her, and for the life brewing in her stomach. A life who had no chance to see the light of day, a precious innocent life who would be torn away from her just like the others. With her heart breaking, but her mindset, she was about to knock when she felt her come behind her.

"You're with child aren't you?"

"What are you doing in here?" Regina whispered, not risking to face the old woman.

"The better question to ask, is what you are doing here Regina."

"That is nothing that concerns you. Leave me, Granny."

"No, answer me, what are you doing here. We both know what lies behind that door and-"

"AND WE BOTH KNOW MY FATE IF I DON'T GO IN THERE." She hissed as she whipped around to face the woman face to face.

"This is not the way to do this Regina." Granny pleaded.

"No, it's not, but I prefer some woman's potion to save me the beating that will come of the hands of my so called husband if he finds out I'm carrying his child. I won't put myself through that anymore. So please, leave me alone, or help me do this. Either way, I'm not leaving this place without going through this door.

I can't put myself through this again, not again."

/

The moment he saw her rush outside in a daze, he knew something was wrong. The fairy chasing after her screaming her name snapped him into action, running as fast as his feet could carry him. The storm outside had been brewing all morning, the skies had opened up, shaking the trees afar with its thundering booms, and yet there she was, running right into it.

He called after her, but it seemed nothing was snapping her out of it, he could hear her breath labored, heaving in and out as the sobs that ran through her finally cause her to fall to the ground. His heart broke for her then, she had been fine when he'd last seen her, but none of that mattered now, not when she was shaking in his arms, nor responding to his calls. Not when she went limp in his arms, her small whimpers managing to escape her delicate form. His mind was running faster than light itself, but he needed to get her out of the rain, so he gathered her in his arms, cradling her head on his shoulder as he half walked half ran back inside only to be met with the crowed that had gathered at the screams the fairy's cries of her name. Reaching the awning, he shoot daggers in the blonde's direction, then pushed his way outside of the storm outside.

"Robin! What happened to her?" Snow asked as she reached the crowd moving to make room for Robin.

"Why don't you bloody ask the blond fairy over there? I need to get her to her room." Robin answered her, not bothering with formalities, not when the woman in his arms shivered violently, not when whatever had happened, the fairy had been involved.

Just as he was about to approach the stairs he was stopped, "Bring the girl to my room." Shot Granny's voice, not bothering waiting for his response when she all but turned him on the spot and led him down the hall to her quarters.

"Put her on the bed, and then get the fire running." She voiced out tensely.

Doing as he was told, he carefully set down Regina on the bed. "What happened to her?" Granny asked.

"I don't know. When I left her this morning she was fine, tensed if anything, but nothing seemed to be off. But we both know how Regina can be. Next thing I know, one of the blonde fairies is calling out for her, and she's running out into the storm outside in a full frenzy." He said as he made way for Granny to remove her clothing, as he tended to the fire. They needed to keep her warm, the last thing they needed was for her to succumb to some sickness.

When he turned back to face the bed, the clothing was nothing but a soaked heap on the floor, as Granny sat next to Regina on the bed covering her up with blankets. What confused Robin the most was the look on the elder woman's face.

"You've seen her like this before haven't you?"

"I've seen her in worst ways than this boy. She panicked, she has a tendency of doing that. What set her off this time, we won't know until she wakes." After a moment, she lifted herself from the bed and made her way to the door, "I'll bring her some clothes, it shouldn't be long until she wakes." And with that, she threw one last glance to the young woman in her bed, and left. Leaving Robin thoroughly confused, yet he made his way to the bed where Regina laid.

Gingerly running his hands through her locks, he leaned down and kissed her temple, closing his eyes and wishing she would wake.

/

It was a couple hours later, after Robin and Granny had dressed her in a warm night gown, after Granny had retired for the night that Robin saw the telltale signs of her wakening. The shivering had stopped shortly after they changed her, and the warmth from the fire warmed the room, that she began to stir.

Making his way over to her side on the bed, he sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. His other hand caressed her cheek as she fluttered her eyes, slowly joining the land of the living. A sight he'd been waiting for since he carried her in his arms that very same day.

"It's about time you woke up Milady." He quietly whispered out to her, smiling as her eyes finally focused on him.

"What happened?" She asked, clearly fighting through the fog that surrounded her mind.

"I was hoping you could fill me in on that."

And just like that, it all came rushing back to her. The calendar. Tink.

The baby.

Closing her eyes, she couldn't bear to think of this, not here, not with him in the room. As much as a part of her wanted nothing that to tell him of what was brewing within her, she couldn't deal with the possibility that after all her body had gone through, that her body would all this baby to grow within her. So she concentrated on her breathing, trying to keep the tears at bay, and giving herself some time before she opened her eyes to the man who could read her like a book.

"Regina, love talk to me." He asked her.

"I'm fine Robin." She breathed out.

"If you were fine than I wouldn't have carried you in my arms lifeless hours ago. Please don't lie to me, talk to me. Let me in Regina." He pleaded, as he saw the turmoil written across her face. Whatever had happened, clearly was enough to shake her.

"I'm okay for now. Please, I don't want to talk about this, not now okay." Regina said as she met her eyes with him, staring into the deep blue eyes that she could easily get lost in. Eyes she didn't want to darken should anything happen to this child in her.

"Fine. But I'm not letting up on this. You're tired, and you need your rest, and you need to eat. I'll run down to the kitchen and get you something to eat, but we're not done with this okay."

/

She sneaked back into her chambers that night, had all but pushed Robin away with his questions, and concerns for her. She just needed to be alone, she needed to think, something she couldn't do when all she wanted was the comfort of his arms.

She felt calmer now, at least in just the slightest. As she walked into her room, she made her way to the balcony, the very same one that she "fell" off so many years ago, the place where the Green fairy came to her rescue, a time in her life where she had chosen hate and anger over the possibility of love and happiness. Now though, the man she had run from all those years ago, lived right within her castle walls, and even deeper in her heart.

She called out to her again, waiting only minutes until she saw the green flicker of light coming through the sky, before materializing in her room. They stood feet apart, as Regina looked out into the horizon, as Tinkerbell simply made her way next to her.

"I hope you don't make the same mistake you did so long ago Regina." Tink said as she broke their silence.

"I'm not sure how much control I have over this Tink. I don't think I'm physically capable of going through this."

"Regina, I may not know everything you've gone through. But please believe me when I say it's time for you to open your eyes, but most importantly your heart. You're scared, I get it, you were scared once before, and you ran. You ran from your chance at happiness, so please don't do the same now. This baby, this child you carry in you, a child that seems to be a miracle from your reaction, it's real."

Not knowing how to respond, she turned her face once more to the night sky, waiting a moment before question, "You didn't tell them what happened. Why?"

"Do you really think I would have said something about this after the way you reacted? Granny all but tried to beat it out of me, but this is your choice Regina. This is another chance for you, a chance to give yourself to some sort of happiness, with that man who you ran away from so long ago. I understand your fears, but don't run away from this, not again. Don't scream it from the top of your lungs, don't tell it to the world if you don't want to, but don't shut yourself from this. This child, it's meant to be, how or why it happened it's beyond our control, but Regina, you are pregnant, and the question now is, are you going to face, or are you going to run away once more?"

"I'm just so scarred Tink. What if I lose this baby? My heart won't be able to take it."

"You have every right to be scared Regina. But you're not alone, not this time. You have people on your side, people who genuinely care about you, a man who loves you, his son adores you, and one way or another you will find a way to get back to your son."

/

TInkerbell had left her chambers after their talk. The words the fairy had spoken were running through her mind, but it wasn't until she reached her vanity that a smile graced her face.

Her little knight had been in her, traces of his handiwork all around as a small piece of paper was left for her eyes. It was a drawing of them and Robin in the field under the tree, she traced the outline of the sun in the corner and she smiled at his little artwork.

Children had always been her weakness, she raised Snow while her soul hated her existence, in Storybook she loved Henry with all her might, and now sweet little Roland had wormed his way into her heart. As scarred as she was, there was a deep embedded hope streak in her heart that wanted nothing more than to see the day she would carry her own child, one that no one can take away, but now that it was happening, she couldn't help the fear she felt. She opened her heart to Robin, and Roland, even with the ache of not having her son, she felt guilty for feeling the sense of happiness when she was missing such a piece of her heart, but this child, this baby, could it be something she could truly have.

She clutched the drawing into her chest as she lowered her hand to her abdomen.

"I don't know how to do this. I've lost so much, but after everything that's been done, I don't want to lose you." She whispered out softly.

She would give herself this chance, she willed her heart open to love with Robin, and as scared as she is for the child in her, she wanted it more than anything. She wouldn't run away from this, not anymore, her fears had weighed her down for longer than she was willing to admit, but things are different. Her heart learned to love a little boy years ago, a boy who became her saving grace, her shattered heart slowly mended with him in her life, even if he wasn't with her, and now she had Robin, and Roland, and this little miracle growing in her.

She slowly made her way to her bed, Roland's drawing still clutched in her hand as her mind was catching up with her heart, a heart so beaten, yet still resilient, now filled with a spark of hope and equal amount of fear.

/

The night came and went without so much as a moment of sleep, but she was okay. She spent the night with her hand stretched across her stomach, tearful eyes, and a wild imagination. It was early morning when the sun was just beginning to chase the moon away, when there was a soft knock on her door, and truthfully she was surprised he hadn't come in long before. Before he could even finish knocking, she flicked her wrist and the door opened, to her surprise it wasn't just Robin, but Roland as well.

"May we come in?" He asked tentatively. They had not left on the best of terms before him deciding to give her the room she needed, but Roland had been restless all night without so much as even seeing her once that day.

"Of course." She responded as she sat up against the headboard, and tapped the side next to her on the bed for him to join her.

"He's been relentlessly asking for you. I didn't want to bother you but, he won't let up." he spoke as he cautiously approached the bed with Roland quiet in his arms, and Regina's guilt flaring up at the sight in front of her. When he made it to the bed, she bore her eyes into his, mouthing out an I'm sorry, then reaching out for the little boy nestled in his arms.

"Roland honey"

"Gina?"

"Yes honey, it's me."

"Are you mad at me" He asked as his little lips quivered.

"No! Of course not Roland, I could never be mad at you."

"You didn't come to see me today, and then Papa said you needed to be alone for a while. But I missed you, and he was sad, and I couldn't see you." Roland cried softly as she took him in her arms and hugged him, wrapping in all the love she could give him.

"I'm sorry to make you think that way my Little Knight, but I had some grown up problems today, and I just wasn't a good person to be around. But I'm here now okay." She said as she ran her fingers through his curls, turning her head ever so slightly as she caught Robin's eyes, and slowly reaching for his hand, relieved when he wrapped his fingers around hers, and slightly pulling herself towards him.

"I'm sorry I acted the way I did before. I shouldn't have pushed you away, it's just- I just can't talk about it right now, and all you did was try to help me. I'm so sorry Robin." She whispered out to him, still holding Roland in her arms, as she cried.

"I won't push you Regina, I just don't want you to think you're alone anymore. I'm here, for whatever you may need, no matter how hard or little you try to push me away. We're here now, and that's what matters." He said as he moved closer, wiping her tears, and then wrapping his arms around the two most important people in his life.

"When you're ready, I'll be there to listen, just please don't shut yourself out from me."

The only thing she could do was nod her head, as they three settled on her bed. Roland didn't leave Regina's side the entire morning, his sleep deprived state eventually catching up to him when the moon lost its battle with the sun, it's orange and yellow hues dominating the morning sky. Regina nestled herself in Robin's arms, his hands slung across her waist, his head in her hair, holding on to her just as much as Roland was.

She reveled in their embrace, allowing her mind to wander into what the possibility of a little baby join them. If the love Robin has for Roland is anything to go by, this little miracle would be given nothing shorter than the moon if they asked for it. She could do with them, with Robin. This baby, even if not planned, would be loved above all else, and in that moment, with her in the arms of her soulmate, she realized she was capable of getting through it. This baby would be hers to keep, no one would bash her for it, no one will take it away, and she would be strong for this child.

Tucking Roland further into her chest, and bringing Robin's hand to settle on her stomach, her family, while missing one very important young man, were hers and she will do whatever it takes to keep them.

/

Something was off about her, for the last couple of days since he brought her inside from the raging storm, something was different about her. She wasn't pushing him away, no, nor was she avoiding him, and that was the most confusing part of all. He hadn't approached the subject, wanting to give her some time and space, but something was off. The way her smiled never truly reached her lips, the way she would hold on to him just a tad longer and harder than before, almost as if he were to disappear from her sight.

It was a side of her, he truly hadn't seen before, and as much as her kisses tried to cover it up, as much as she tried belittle it, as if she was hiding something, and it was driving him insane. Not because he wished to see her upset, but because he wanted her to be honest with him, and tell him what was going on.

It's all he could think of as he leaned on the edge of the doorway, silently watching as the woman of his thoughts, played with his son outside in the gardens. He figured she would have said something to him by now, but Regina Mills would remain the biggest secret he would ever have to uncover. He was thoroughly pulled from his thoughts when, in his day dreaming, failed to see his son run towards him, until his high pitched Papa! And his little body crashed into his legs.

"My Boy, are you having fun?" He questioned as he reached down and picked him up and threw him in the air,

"Yes Papa! Gina wanted to come and find you so we can have a picnic, say you'll come Papa?" Roland squealed.

"Will you join us?" Regina asked as she slowly made her way to his side.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Robin grinned.

They made their way inside as Roland ran ahead of them in search for the kitchen. Lacing his hand with hers, he stopped them momentarily in the hall, and turned to face her. He drank her in, her sun kissed face, raven locks flowing freely down her back, the small smile gracing her lips. He ran his hand across her cheekbone, leaning in ever so softly to plant a kiss on her nose, her brow, and her lips.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" She asked with a smile plastered on her face. Truth be told, the last couple of days had been some of the most calming days she's had since she's come into this land. Since finding out about the baby, her fears remained, but in the end, the hope in her heart outgrew her fears. She came to terms this baby was hers, and growing within her. Her only dilemma had been in how she would tell Robin. Should she wait until she was farther along? Would he hate her for not telling him sooner? Those were the questions that were in her head, but all she wanted to do was to tell him.

Today, while playing with Roland, she decided she would tell him. He loved his son with all he had, this child would be no different. She couldn't keep this away from him, no, she would tell him.

"Because I just want you to know I'm here. Something's going on in that beautiful head of yours, I can feel it, and I want you to know that whatever it is, I'll be right here. I don't want you hiding from me, and this is my way of showing you that I'm not going anywhere." He said as he wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her with every ounce of love he had in him.

Breathlessly, after breaking apart for air, she deflated against him, bringing her arms around his neck, and settling her face in the crook of his neck.

"Thank you." She said quietly.

"For being you, for knowing exactly to say when I need to hear it the most. Because there is something I have to tell you, and I want to, but there's a part of me that just scared to even say it out loud in front of anyone. I'm scarred of believing it's actually true, that it's actually happening, and I don't know how to tell you, because I'm so scared of the possibly of being able to rejoice in this." She declared as she tightened her hold on him, molding herself to him without so much of a millimeter separating them as they stood.

"Why would you be scared of something that can make you happy?" He questioned, as he slowly backed up a bit in order to look at her face, bring his finger to lift her chin and saw the unshed tears pooling in those beautiful brown eyes. "Talk to me my love."

Locking her eyes on his, she saw nothing but genuine concern, and love. She couldn't help but chuckle at what this would look like to most. An Evil Queen falling for the Prince of Thieves, but as silly as it seemed, she was his, and he was hers, now tethered in a way she had never expected. Smiling, she reached for the hands he had cradling her cheeks, and wrapped her fingers on his and brought them down to her lips, tenderly kissing his knuckles before bringing them down to her sides.

"I'm scared because I don't know how this is happening. Not after everything I have been physically been put through, not after what I did to myself, and yet there's this miracle that's come to light. I've been trying to find the best way to tell you, but I just don't know how." She said, as she brought his hands and placed them on her stomach, waiting a moment until she was the realization hit him. He stared at his hand over her belly, until he slowly brought his eyes to hers.

"Regina... Are you… are you pregnant?"

AN:/

I'M SO SORRY.

I cant really even apologize enough for the delay in this, but life got in the way, school papers needed to be done, and my grams is on rocky conditions. But Alas, I bring you this chapter, lengthy to make up for my absence. Please take a second to review, they mean the world to me. I'm not sure if most of you are still reading if you are, im sorry again for the wait, but I hoe this is okay.

until next time, and please feel free to drop by and kick my ass on tumblr for not updating this sooner. JustFanGirlingIt

Also, please to any of our French friends on here, and every where, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Stay Safe. Stay Strong. Stay Resilient.