The following weeks after nurse Kathryn Midas phone call were somber.

It wasn't that much had changed, really. At least not when it came to little Neal. He would be staying with them. For how long, Regina had no idea, but it did not matter to her either. There was plenty of room for the little in their family. Eugenia Wolf had said that they could keep the crib for as long as they needed, and Regina had bought a changing table from a thrift store. Zelena had been informed of the events, and she had shown up one afternoon with a bag containing Henry's old baby clothes. Regina hadn't been able to part with it when Henry grew out of it, and right now, and now her 'weakness' came in handy.

So little Neal was taken care of. Neal was happy. Neal was cooing. Neal had no idea what was going on.

Regina envied him for that. Wished that she too sometimes could have been just as oblivious. But she wasn't. Nor was Emma.

Emma was struggling after learning that David had tried to kill himself. She had trouble sleeping at night, and that often lead to her and Regina laying awake for hours and talking and signing about the events. In the morning, Emma always apologized for having kept Regina awake, but Regina always dismissed it. She preferred being awake with Emma rather than Emma laying awake alone while her thoughts ran amok. Still, Emma apologized and felt guilty.

"I just wish that there was something I could do," Emma had murmured one night. "I wish that I had seen the signs. I feel so guilty."

'It is not your fault,' Regina had signed. 'Both you and David fell victim to Mary Margaret's manipulation and psychological terror. You were a child. And then you were a teenager who needed to get away from the situation as soon as possible. You have absolutely nothing to blame yourself for. Period.'

Another night where Emma had not been able to sleep, they had talked about what David almost had done. His thoughts. How he had felt.

'Sometimes overcoming that trauma and moving on and trying to make a life for yourself is a lot more overwhelming and frightening than being in that terrible situation,' Regina had signed, knowing full well that she was speaking not only for David. 'I think that David felt that he couldn't live with the trauma of what happened to him.'

"Is that…" Emma had swallowed thickly. "Is that how you felt?"

Regina had nodded in confirmation. Yes, that was exactly how she had felt.

"You thought about it," Emma had murmured.

'While I was in the hospital, yes,' Regina had signed. 'I considered jumping out of the window.'

Emma had shivered. Had slid closer to her and kissed her cheeks and forehead. "I'm… really, really glad that you d-didn't!"

'Me, too' Regina had signed. She had arrived at the conclusion that she wouldn't have jumped out of that window even if Zelena hadn't chosen that moment to come in. She would have thought of Henry and remembered that he needed her. That she couldn't let him grow up without her. In the end, she would have chosen him. Chosen her son over certain death.

'It was thoughts,' she had continued and known in her heart that that was true. Yes, she had been standing by the window, but she had not been standing with one leg dangling. 'Of course those thoughts were harmful enough, but I couldn't imagine to actually go through with it. In the end, I had every reason to keep living. My son. He had not been watching over me in the hospital only for me to die by my own hand later. I had not survived what Killian had put me through only to kill myself. And I think it's the same case for David.' Regina had gently kissed Emma's cheek. 'He called for help because he did not want to leave his children.'

Emma had broken down and started crying then. Not for the first time since she had gotten the news about David, but exactly like all the other times, Regina had taken her in her arms and held her close. Kissed her hair. Maybe cried a bit herself, because talking about her suicidal thoughts was triggering for her. It made her sad that she once had been in a place so dark, taking her own life had seemed like the only possibility. As she had held Emma close, she had decided to schedule an appointment with Doctor Kristine the following day. Just to be on the safe side. Obviously, she was no longer haunted by such dark thoughts, but it did not harm to talk it over with her therapist. Doctor Kristine had been informed of all the changes in Regina's life, and she was so good at listening and giving advises.

At some point, their crying had woken little Neal, and then he had started crying. Maybe because of the noise. Maybe because he was unhappy. Or maybe because he had heard them crying and thought that he wanted to join in.

Emma had started laughing then. Whilst hiccupping that it was a bit ridiculous that all three of them were crying in the middle of the night.

Regina had agreed with her girlfriend. But stated that sometimes crying together in the middle of the night was not the worst thing to happen. Rather crying together than crying alone. Then she had picked up Neal and carried him over to the bed. Emma had kissed the top of his head whilst murmuring: "I'm glad you're here, little one. I'm really glad you're here."

So was Regina. And she was also proud that David had trusted them to take care of his son. He barely knew her, and he and Emma had barely talked. The way he had trusted them to take care of Neal, said a lot about how much he valued and trusted Emma.

Kathryn Midas kept her word and called Emma every day with an update about David. Emma always put the phone on speaker so Regina could listen. David was not going well, but he was seeing a therapist every day. And he had also joined a group for men who had been in the same situation as him. Regina had refused group therapy when she had gotten the offer. She had hidden behind her inability to speak and how it would be difficult for her to be an actual part of the conversation, but deep down, she had refused because she was scared to around other people. Too traumatized to sit and listen to other's stories about what they had endured. She admired David for saying yes to therapy, and was sure that he would find it helpful. Knowing that he wasn't alone. Knowing that there were other men who had experienced something similar had to be reassuring. Because equality be damned, being a man and experiencing abuse in a relationship was taboo. And it infuriated Regina that it still was like that. It made her angry to think that people would second guess someone's experiences simply because the person sharing the experiences was a man.

Women could be abusers too. Men could be abused. And Regina was sick of people who thought differently.

Eventually, David started talking to Emma through Kathryn. He still did not want to talk to her on his own, but Kathryn asked on his behalf how they were doing. All four of them. Regina thought that it was very sweet he included her.

David was not strong enough to receive visits either, but when the time came, Regina would accompany Emma to Toronto. That had already been decided.

"Are you sure?" Emma had asked softly.

'Of course I'm sure. Unless you don't want me to come?'

"Of course I do. It's just… David is in a psychiatric ward, and I…. I don't want you to get upset or anything."

Regina had smiled softly at her. 'You're very sweet, and I love you for always being so considerate, but I will be alright. I'm going with you and that's final. Alright?'

"Alright," Emma had said. Then she had chuckled and softly accused Regina of being 'bossy'. Something Regina happily had agreed to. She could be quite bossy when she wanted to. And when it came to going with Emma to Toronto, her mind had been made up. Of course she would be going with Emma to Toronto if and when it became relevant. No way she was going to let Emma make that journey on her own. Absolutely not. No. They were doing this together. Like they did everything else. As a family. Emma was stuck with her now.

Emma had laughed a lot when Regina had told her that. And then she had accused Regina of 'stealing my line'.

Telling Henry had been hard.

She and Emma had had a little 'family meeting' in which they had discussed what they should and should not say to Henry. In the end, they had decided to not give him any unnecessary details.

As gently as possible, they had sat Henry down the day after the shocking news and told him that Neal would be staying with them for a while longer.

"Why?" Henry had asked. "I mean, I really like him, he's so cute, but wasn't he supposed to go home?"

"Well… David tried to do something really bad and had to go to the hospital and get some help," Emma had said gently.

But their attempts at 'sugarcoating' the truth had been utterly wasted on perceptive Henry. He had looked at both of them before quietly asking: "did he try to commit suicide?"

Regina and Emma had exchanged a look, and after a soft little nod from Regina (they should not have any secrets from Henry) she had said: "yes."

'But he regretted it immediately,' Regina had assured, fingers wiggling quickly in the air. 'He is getting help now, and he's not going to try doing it again.'

"That's right," Emma had backed her up and put a hand on Henry's shoulder. "He didn't do it because he wanted to die. He did it because he was very sad and didn't know how to ask for help. You understand that, don't you?"

Henry had nodded. "I think so. I'm really glad he didn't do it."

"Me, too, kid."

"And I'm glad he's getting help now. He deserves to be happy."

"Yeah, he does." Emma had said as Regina had smiled and felt incredibly proud of her mature, clever son.

Henry had hugged her. No doubt he had known what David's suicide attempt and story had made Regina think of.

Then he had hugged Emma just as tightly. "I'm really sorry, Ma."

"Thanks, kid," Emma had said whilst hugging him back. "David will be alright. It'll be awhile, and it'll take lots of talking to professionals, but he'll be okay."

Henry had nodded. Released Emma and then looked at the little boy cooing on the blanket. "Neal is staying then."

"Neal is staying," Emma had confirmed.

"He's going to need more clothes."

It had sounded so matter of factly. And slightly concerned too. As though Henry feared that Neal would end up just wearing his diaper.

That wouldn't be the case. Regina had already decided that she would buy the little boy plenty of clothes..

Regina woke. Neal was 'mumbling' in his crib. Yes, the sound he was making sounding like mumbling. But Regina knew that the 'mumbling' eventually would turn into crying if she didn't react to it.

Regina was not about to let Neal start crying. He was most likely hungry. He always was right about now. She turned her head and looked at Emma. She was peacefully asleep laying on her side with her lips slightly parted. Regina smiled softly as she quietly rose from bed. She knew that Emma was on 'bottle-duty' during the night, but she decided to ignore that tonight. Emma had been through a lot during these past few weeks. She needed rest whereas Regina did not. She had just experienced quite the disturbing dream about her doctor's appointment tomorrow. She could use the distraction. She walked over to the crib and picked up Neal who was the sweetest little reptile in his new dragon printed sleeper with spikes down the back and the little tail. He immediately stopped 'mumbling' and cooed up at her.

Hello, little one, she thought as she tenderly touched his cheek. I hope that I can talk to you so very soon. I want you to know my voice. She carried Neal downstairs in the kitchen where they now kept his bottles and box of formula. She laid Neal in the bouncer they had borrowed from Eugenia while she prepared his bottle and to keep him entertained, she did her own 'mumbling'. Meaning that she 'mmm'ed' a lot at him. Even attempted to hum a little bit, though that didn't go so well. But Neal seemed to like it when she mmm'ed at him. He certainly always 'answered' with one of his soft little coos. He was always so aware of her. Kept a close eye on her. Regina found it to be very sweet.

The water had boiled in the kettle. Regina did her usual thing to make it cool down and then added the formula. Checked the temperature on her wrist, and once assured that it was not too hot, she picked up Neal and gave him his bottle. He was very particular about that. No way would he accept the bottle if he was in the bouncer. But if he was picked up and held close, he was more than willing to drink his milk like a good boy.

Regina sat down on one of the kitchen chairs as she fed him. Neal made cute little sucking sounds and waved a fist in the air. Emma had dubbed it his 'bottle dance'. And it was very funny, the way he waved his hand in the air whilst being fed. Regina suspected that it was a reflex of sort.

Good boy. Get that milk, she silently praised as Neal looked up at her with big blue eyes. They would stay blue, Regina was sure of that. Neal had such beautiful eyes. His hair was getting a bit lighter. From silver blonde to corn colored. Nearly the same shade as Emma's. However puzzling that sounded. Emma and Neal weren't biologically related, but…

That's it, sweetie. You just drink. It's all for you. Regina was fully enjoying their little midnight-kitchen-bottle-session. There was something cozy about being awake at midnight and feeding Neal his bottle. It was a nice little moment.

Even nicer was it when he was done drinking his milk and gave her one of those adorable, milk drunken grimaces with one eye half closed. Regina gently perched him on her shoulder and tapped his back. It didn't take long before she was rewarded with a burp. Good job, honey. That was a good one.

She kissed the top of his head and laid him in the bouncer they had borrowed from Eugenia. She figured that he could enjoy his state of milk-drunk while she made herself some cocoa. She didn't want to go back to bed just yet. Couldn't sleep. Now that she was done feeding Neal, she was once again focusing far too much about the doctor's appointment she had tomorrow. She was a little nervous. A little scared.

Of course she was excited too, who wouldn't be, but she had waited for this moment for so long, had imagined what her throat would look like underneath the bandage, and now she could not stop worrying that the result wouldn't be what she hoped. She was far too used for things not being what she hoped. Regina had worked long and hard to change her mindset so she didn't expect the worst all the time, but when it came to this, she hadn't quite succeeded in convincing herself that everything would be alright.

She decided to make herself a cup of cocoa. Why not? The weather had been chilly for the past many days and right now the wind was howling. Some cocoa was appropriate. She didn't want to drink coffee at this hour. Then she wouldn't be able to sleep at all.

She found the cocoa powder, milk and a casserole. Prepared everything whilst keeping one eye on Neal. He appeared to be falling asleep in his bouncer. Oh well. Regina made sure to not make too much noise as she stirred the cocoa in the casserole. This was cozy too. Cocoa in the middle of the night. Not bad at all.

"Cocoa at midnight, Mills?"

The soft question had Regina turning her head and smiling. Emma had joined her little late night adventure. Emma with tousled hair and wearing her bathrobe. How sweet she looked.

"I'm supposed to be the one giving Neal his bottle at night, though."

The even softer chiding had Regina feeling a little sheepish as she nodded. She was aware of that.

Emma gave a little chuckle as she walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her from behind. "Are you nervous about the stiches coming out tomorrow?"

Regina, who couldn't exactly deny that, nodded and exhaled slightly. She was nervous about tomorrow.

"Is that why you're making cocoa at midnight instead of talking to your girlfriend about it?"

"Mmmm," Regina managed. Not quite speech, but close enough. For now. She had a feeling that words, real words and actual sentences, would come to her soon enough. She had been making some excellent progress lately.

"It'll be okay," Emma said and gave her waist a soft squeeze. "I'll be right there with you all the time. And so will Neal."

Regina chuckled and nodded. She knew that. They didn't have any babysitters ready and available tomorrow. But she did not mind that. She had a feeling that having not only Emma but also Neal by her side, would be an enormous help tomorrow.

Regina stopped the stirring process and dipped the spoon into the cocoa. It was done.

"Is there any chance you made enough cocoa for two?" Emma asked and let go of her waist.

Sure. But before pouring the cocoa, Regina wanted to make sure that it tasted alright, so she lifted the spoon and carefully cupped a hand underneath to make sure she didn't spill any of the cocoa on the spoon. Then she turned around and held the spoon up to Emma's lips.

Emma opened her mouth and tasted the cocoa. "Mmm," she hummed, smacking her lips softly. "This is really good."

Excellent. Regina discarded the spoon in the dishwasher.

"Any chance I can have more than that?"

Oh, come on, honestly? She might have scowled a bit as she turned around again and signed: 'of course. I was making sure that it tasted okay.'

"I know," Emma said, snickering shamelessly. "I was just teasing, beautiful.

Regina was not impressed. 'You're not very funny.'

"What are you talking about, I'm hilarious!"

Regina chose not to react to that as she found two mugs and poured cocoa in them. Elegantly balancing both mugs, she brought them over to the table so they could drink cocoa and watch over Neal at the same time.

Emma joined her and immediately reached for her mug. Took a sip. Followed by a: "Ouch! Son of a bitch!"

Oh, Emma, Emma, Emma. Regina raised an eyebrow and patiently reminded Emma: 'it's warm.'

"Yeah, I got that," Emma grumbled and made a whole point of blowing on the cocoa before taking the next sip.

Regina chuckled quietly and took a small sip of her own cocoa. Emma was right. It was good.

Buzz-buzz.

Quite an unexpected sound in the middle of the night. Regina stiffened for a second before resuming drinking her cocoa.

"Is that you texting me?" Emma quipped as she patted the bathrobe pocket.

Regina chuckled and shook her head. Definitely not. Her phone was upstairs. And even if it had not been, it would have been rather silly of her to text Emma when they were sitting together.

"You're the only one I can think of who would text me this late," Emma muttered as she retrieved her phone from the pocket.

Quite. A late night mystery, Regina thought to herself as she watch Emma look at her phone. Who would even text Emma this late? Was it someone pranking her? Or was it perhaps Henry who had heard them in the kitchen and now wanted to know what they were doing?

"Uhh... got any explanations why Malena is texting me now?" Emma asked and gave her a sort of amused frown. "I know she hates talking on the phone, but isn't it a bit late for texting?"

It absolutely was too late for texting. Regina sat her mug of cocoa down and signed: 'Sometimes she has no boundaries.' She was used to it, but it did puzzle her that Malena had texted Emma this late.

"Clearly not," Emma chuckled and then read Malena's text aloud. "'You may want to check up on your book.'"

Interesting. Very interesting. Regina was definitely intrigued.

"I guess that's what we'll do then," Emma mumbled as she tapped on her phone again. Frowned slightly. Then grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. "Holy shit!"

The loud sound caused Neal to fuss in his bouncer and show that he did not appreciate loud sounds when he was napping.

"Sorry kid. Sorry!" Emma looked at her with green eyes that sparkled. "Look at that! Another review! Should we click on it?"

Yes, yes, yes, absolutely! Quickly! Regina signalized wildly with her hands to make Emma hurry the process. She loved it when Emma received reviews on her new book. So far, all of the reviews had been positive, and Regina's gut feeling told her that this one would be too.

"Okay, okay," Emma laughed. Tapped a bit more. Then tilted the screen so Regina could read over her shoulder.

And Regina absolutely loved what she was reading. 'I am still struggling to believe that this is actually a debut. Miss Swan is a true storyteller. The plot is clever, the characters deliciously twisted and dark, and it pushes the boundaries when it comes to "good" and "bad". With "Twisted Endings", miss Swan introduces us to a wonderful grey area where nothing is quite as it seems. This story had me hooked right from the start, and I cannot wait to read more from this promising young authors hand.'

"Promising young author," Emma softly said aloud.

Yes, my darling. That's you. Regina slipped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a soft squeeze. She was so, so proud. And so happy to see Emma's dreams coming true. A year ago, Emma had spoken of her writing in a casual manner. As it was nothing but a pipe dream. And now her book was published. And receiving positive reviews. Emma was a living proof that dreams could come true.

"Wow," Emma said and shook her head a little. "This is... I can barely believe it!"

Regina moved her arm away from Emma's shoulder so she could sign: 'I can. You are an amazing writer.'

Narrowing her eyes the littlest bit, Emma asked: "It's not you, is it? Who wrote this review, I mean?"

Certainly not. Regina shook her head.

"You promise?"

Yes, dear. Regina nodded again. Perhaps a bit more overbearingly.

"Okay, so this is a review from a stranger who has actually read my book and liked it."

Oh, for god's sake!'That stranger is not the only person who likes it. There are other reviews, and the sales are going up in the stores.'

"I know that," Emma said quickly. "But still, this is pretty amazing!"

It truly was. Regina flashed her a proud smile. Resumed her cocoa-drinking as Emma scrolled on her phone. Perhaps she was reading through the other reviews. Emma liked doing that.

"Holy shit!"

The exclaim had Regina flinching for a second. Neal whimpered loudly in his bouncer, and Regina drank the last of her cocoa and got up from her chair. She picked up the now unhappy little boy and kissed the top of his head in a soothing manner. It's alright, my dear. There is no danger here. Just Emma being a bit too loud for your liking.

"Sorry," Emma said, and Regina did not doubt that the apology was genuine. "I'm sorry! But Malena has just asked if I would be interested in a book signing event where I met the readers!"

Oh, goodness. That was wonderful! Regina was beyond excited and proud as she smiled at her partner. She cuddled Neal to her chest. He had stopped whimpering. Maybe he was proud too?

"Oh my god," Emma said, shaking her head. "I literally cannot believe this!"

Regina could. She absolutely could. And while Emma was tapping away on her phone (most likely to tell Malena yes), Regina was silently pleased and happy for her girlfriend. Her dreams were coming true. And thank god for that.

"Great, so now she's asking if she woke me." Emma laughed. "Seriously, Malena and her social skills sometimes..."

Yes, social skills was not Malena's greatest force, they could easily agree on that. Regina chuckled and ran her fingers through Neal's feathery soft hair.

"I'm sorry for waking the little dude."

No harm done. Regina shrugged lightly and rubbed Neal's back. He had already stopped fussing. No tantrum this time.

"Is it just me, or does he look amazingly cute in that dragon suit?" Emma snickered. "Malena would definitely approve."

Oh, yes for sure. Regina laughed and nodded. Malena would absolutely approve of Neal's outfit.

"I should bring him to work with me one day," Emma said excitedly. "Oooh, I know! You guys could come and pick me up from work sometimes, and she could meet him then! That could be fun, couldn't it? Do you think she'd like him?"

Well, who wouldn't? Regina nodded and kissed Neal's cheek. She had a feeling that Malena would fall in love with him immediately.

"Urgh, you two are far too adorable this late at night," Emma said mock firmly. Then emptied her mug of cocoa. Regina was silently grateful when Emma not only put her own mug in the dishwasher, but also hers. Regina had been so focused on the baby she had forgotten to put her mug in the dishwasher. And if there was something she hated, it was forgotten mugs on the table or in the sink.

"It's probably best if we don't tell Henry about our late hour cocoa," Emma said conspiratorially as she came over to her and slipped an arm around her waist once more.

Indeed. Regina turned her head, nodded and gave a sneaky little grin. There was no reason to give Henry 'FOMO'.

"Wanna go back to bed?" Emma suggested and gave Regina's waist a little squeeze. "Tomorrow is gonna be a busy day."

She was right about that. Regina nodded and felt a tad thoughtfully. Tomorrow would be… a busy day. But hopefully a day with positive results too. God, how Regina hoped that everything would go smoothly. Of course it will. I'm worrying too much. The wound has been taken care of since day one. There's no reason to be so worried. It's just a couple of stitches that needs removing. That's all. Stop turning it into this huge deal. If only it was that easy. Shaking her head at her own foolishness, Regina followed Emma back up the stairs.

They parted ways in the hallway, though. Regina handed Emma the baby and excused herself to the bathroom. Apparently, that cocoa had run straight through her.

When she returned to the bedroom, Neal was asleep in his crib and Emma was in bed. "You just missed the cutest baby yawn ever," she said, grinning slightly.

Oh, no. Regina headed to over to the and silently scolded herself for dawdling. If she hadn't washed her face the second time, she could have been present for that yawn.

"And I didn't even have to scare him with a song," Emma jokingly said as Regina climbed into bed and made herself comfortable.

Regina chuckled at that and smoothened out the crinkles on her red silk pajamas. She felt like it had gotten a bit crumbled. And maybe Neal had drooled a bit on it too. Oh well. That was what happened with a baby in the house.

"That is a very nice pajamas," Emma complimented.

Regina of course appreciated the compliment, but also found it a bit funny. Emma had seen this pajamas a million times.

"If the baby hadn't been here..."

Oh. That little statement made Regina feel all playful, and she waggled an eyebrow at Emma. She knew exactly how they could have spent the evening if Neal hadn't been here. She suddenly felt a bit warm.

"Aren't you tired?" Emma asked, sliding closer to her.

Not anymore. Regina huffed. 'I am distracted now.'

"Sorry?" Emma chuckled and didn't sound particularly sorry. "Should I grab Neal and run over to Eugenia with him real quick?"

Silly goose. Regina gave her a soft poke in the ribs and shook her head.

Emma laughed quietly, clearly not intimidated by the poke in the ribs. "Another time then."

And when is that? Acknowledging that it had been quite a while since they last were intimate distracted Regina even more. There had been so much stuff going on with forming a routine for Neal, but now things had calmed down some, hadn't they? She should like for them to have some alone time soon.

Regina bit her lip.

"Henry is gonna stay with Zelena and Chad this Friday, isn't he?"

Regina nodded. Henry was indeed going to his aunt this Friday. Most likely for an unhealthy meal and a fun movie.

"Well..." Emma drawled in that particular way while brushing a hand over her hip in a highly suggestive manner. "Ruby and Dorothy seems to love playing house. Maybe we should let them borrow Neal for a few hours on Friday?"

Regina bit her lip again. Oh, how she hoped that Ruby and Dorothy could babysit!

"Yeah?" Emma said, now tapping her fingers against her hip. "Would you like that, beautiful?"

Regina nodded and gave her most kittenish smile.

"It's a date then," Emma smirked. "A very hot date. Any chance you'll wear that red nightgown? The sheer one?"

Why, miss Swan, what an interesting request. One that easily could be accommodated. Regina nodded and felt positively mischievous.

"Awesome," Emma said and sounded like she was on the verge of trailing off. "Thanks for putting plenty of images in my head, babe."

'You are welcome.', Regina signed and felt very witty.

Emma laughed softly as she grabbed the covers and pulled it over both of them. "We should get some sleep now. We can't be late for your doctor thing."

Her smile faded as she was reminded of tomorrows 'mission'.

"Don't be nervous, babe," Emma said softly. "You're going to ace it. Like you ace everything."

Regina scoffed, unimpressed. She was not acing everything. Far from it. But she was getting sleepy and wasn't in the mood to discuss it. She much preferred curling up under the covers.

"Here, kitty, kitty, kitty."

Seriously? Okay then. For some reason, she went along with it and mock purred.

"That's sexy. Do it again?"

Absolutely not. She was much too sleepy for such silliness. Instead she yawned and closed her eyes. Curled up in Emma's eyes.

"My little spoon," Emma said gently.

"Mmmm," Regina hummed. Smiled sleepily when she heard Neal suckling in his sleep.

"That's the best sound ever to fall asleep to."

Regina 'mmm'ed' in agreement. Then she fell asleep. Warm and comfortable and with her belly full of hot cocoa…

She wished that she could have been as content and calm the next morning. Their morning started just as it always did. Emma picked up Neal and brought him to the bathroom to give him a fresh diaper. Regina headed into her son's bedroom to wake Henry.

"Burgh," Henry groaned into his pillow. "It's too early, mom!"

Regina laughed and kissed him right in his messy morning hair. It was early, but not too early. It was time for him to wake up.

"Uuuuurgh," he said muffled. "Five more minutes?"

No. Regina tapped his shoulder until he sat up and declared that he was awake.

She was happy to hear that.

They headed downstairs. Henry set the table and made toast while Regina made coffee and prepared Neal's bottle. It would only be a matter of time before Emma came downstairs with the little boy. He'd had a good night. Had not been awake since their little midnight endeavor in the kitchen. Sure, she had heard him coo at some point during the night, but it had been just that. Cooing. Nothing that needed to be taken seriously.

Thinking of cooing…

She smiled when she heard Neal do just that. She turned her head just in time to see Emma carry the baby into the kitchen. Not only had she changed his diaper, but she had also gotten him dressed in blue velvet pants and a blue sweater with glittering stars on it. He looked incredibly cute.

"Morning, Ma," said Henry.

"Morning, kid," Emma said and ruffled his hair on the way. "You almost look awake this morning."

"Har, har, har," Henry croaked.

"Babe, I think our kid has been replaced with an 80 year old this morning," Emma joked.

Regina snickered into her coffee before downing the rest. Then she motioned for Emma to hand her Neal so Emma could have breakfast.

"You just want him all to yourself," Emma sweetly quipped as she gently placed him in Regina's arms.

Regina clicked her tongue and scowled the littlest bit as she grabbed Neal's bottle and held it close to his little mouth. Neal immediately took the rubber nipple in his mouth and began drinking his milk. Good boy.

"He's getting good at that," Henry said over his glass of milk.

"Yeah, he sure is."

It did not take Neal long to empty his bottle, and as soon as he was done and had burped (and been applauded for doing so!) Regina placed him in his bouncer so she could have her own breakfast. Bagel with cream cheese. Emma had toast with jam. And Henry a bowl of oatmeal.

Henry talked about school and what book they currently was reading. 'A Wrinkle In Time'. Regina had never read that one, but the way Henry talked about it, made her want to read it. Perhaps she would.

"Aw man, if only my school had allowed us to read that," Emma said, and Regina thought to herself that maybe she would go online later and look for an extra pretty edition of the book. One she could give Emma as a surprise. One they could read together. She hadn't been allowed to read books like 'A Wrinkle In Time' either. Cora had not been particularly big on reading for fun.

In the middle of their talk about books, Emma's cellphone rang. It was nurse Kathryn Midas who called with an update about David. Regina listened in as usually. David had had a good night. He was starting to get interested in reading again. And what's more, he wanted a copy of Emma's book. That made Regina particularly happy. Emma too. Regina could see that. Her voice sounded almost light when she told the nurse that they were doing fine. So David had asked his usual question again. How they were doing.

"When do you think he'll be ready to talk to me?" Emma asked into the phone.

Regina heard the answer. "Unfortunately, there's no way of telling, miss Swan. Your adoptive father feels incredibly guilty for his actions and is afraid of hurting you further."

"He shouldn't feel guilty," Emma said, and Regina silently agreed with that.

"You and I know that. And I think deep down, he does too. But he's not quite ready to acknowledge it yet."

"I understand that," Emma said. "Give him all my love, okay? And tell him I'm here if he needs me."

"I will. Have a good day, miss Swan. I'll call you same time tomorrow morning. Is that alright?"

"Absolutely. Bye."

"Goodbye, miss Swan."

After having hung up, Emma gave them an 'official' update. "David had a good night. His appetite is improving, and he's getting interested in reading again. He still doesn't feel up for talking to me, though. Kathryn couldn't really say when he would be, but he's getting better."

"That's awesome, Ma," Henry said softly. "I'm glad David is feeling better!"

"Me too, kid. Me too!" Emma said and ruffled his hair again. Then she left the kitchen. Upstairs to take a shower.

Regina and Henry cleared the table. Henry was a chatterbox this morning, and Regina was grateful for that. She was starting to think about that doctor's appointment again, and she was feeling a bit nervous. Sort of wished that there had been a remote control so she could speed up the process and just be done with this already. Couldn't she just skip to the end of the doctors appointment where her stitches already had been taken out? God, this was nerve wracking!

Not much later, they took off. Neal was bundled up and placed in his (borrowed) car seat. Henry got in there with him, Emma in the passenger's seat and Regina behind the wheel.

Off they went. Dropped Henry off at school and continued to the doctor's office.

The waiting room wasn't particularly crowded, and Regina realized that she actually was doing alright. She didn't need to drink water all the time. Her throat was not closing up. Her thoughts didn't stray. Neal's presence helped enormously. Now she could focus on all his cute little sounds instead of worrying.

"If a child refuses to sleep during nap time, are they guilty of resisting a rest?" Emma asked with feigned seriousness.

Regina clapped a hand over her forehead. It wasn't the first time Emma had cracked an awful joke while they were here.

"Aw, come on! That was a great joke!"

Neal cooed sweetly from his carrier.

"No?" Emma said. "Okay. How about this one then... Why did the invisible man turn the job offer down?"

Why indeed? Regina had a feeling that there was a fascinating explanation, and she motioned for Emma to go on.

"He couldn't see himself do the job!" Emma laughed heartedly.

For crying out loud…. Regina groaned and rolled her eyes. Really? Maybe it was time she cracked a joke on her own? She retrieved her phone from her pocket and typed. 'what is the least spoken language in the world?' then she turned the screen towards Emma.

"Uh..." Emma frowned and scratched her chin. "Let's see... the least spoken language in the world. Damn. That's a tough one, babe. Is this an insanely smart professor joke I have no way of understanding?"

Nope. Regina shook her head and grinned. Enjoyed having the 'upper hand' in this little game.

"The least spoken language in the world... the least spoken language in the world... okay, I have no idea. I give up! Tell me. What is the least spoken language in the world?"

Wasn't it obvious? 'Sign Language', Regina typed and showed Emma the screen. Then she bursted out laughing.

"Oh my god! That is... one hell of a creative joke, beautiful. Good one, good one!" Emma laughed with her, and Regina felt very satisfied with herself. She too could make jokes.

But she did not get the chance to make one before Emma's phone buzzed and Emma got busy with checking who had messaged her. Regina spent that time checking on Neal. He was still satisfied with hanging out in his carrier. He seemed very interested in his feet for whatever reason. Well then. Regina left him to that. Why bother him when he was in the middle of making such interesting discoveries?

"Shoot."

Shoot? Regina looked up and lifted an eyebrow.

"Malena wants to do a "meet the author" event where I can sign books this Friday," Emma explained.

That was a good thing. 'That's wonderful', Regina signed and didn't quite understand why Emma's initial reaction had been 'shoot'.

"Yeah, but we were supposed to..." Emma cleared her throat and spoke more softly as she continued: "you and I sort of made plans this Friday."

Darling Emma. Regina laughed. 'This is important.'

"So is what we've planned on doing this Friday," Emma mumbled. "Maybe I can ask Malena if it can be next Friday instead..."

No. Absolutely not. Regina shook her head firmly. 'You will not do that. This is a wonderful opportunity for you. Your book is more important.'

"Uhh... nothing is more important than you,"

Regina patted her cheek. Smiled. Then wiggled her fingers in the air so she could get her point across. 'You are so sweet. But our plans for Friday can wait.'

"You're sure?" Emma asked and looked very much like she would cancel in a heartbeat..

Which she shouldn't do. Absolutely not. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. A way to meet her readers for the first time. That was slightly more important than whatever saucy plans they might have made for Friday. 'Plenty of time.', she signed and grinned cheekily at Emma.

"Okay," Emma surrendered. "Then I'll text Malena and say yes."

Good! She smiled. This was really happening to Emma. She would be a hit with her readers. Just like her book was.

"You'll come with me, right?" Emma asked. "To the book signing event? I really want you there."

Well, obviously. 'I'll wear my red dress.'

"Do that," Emma was not smiling at the quip. She looked serious. And just a tad wistful. "I freaking love that dress!"

Neal made a happy little noise in his carrier. Emma looked at him. "Should we bring him too?"

Regina chuckled and signed: 'we could.'

Neal made another happy little sound and easily caught the attention of an elderly lady who was sitting next to them. She leaned forward to get a closer look at him. Then she smiled brightly. "Your son is positively adorable! What's his name?"

"Neal," Emma said. The answer seemed to come automatic and wasn't too quickly followed by a: "but he's not actually-"

"What a sweet name!" elderly lady interrupted, fully focused on the baby. "He is a very sweet little boy. And so calm too!"

"Yeah, he's... pretty great," Emma said and looked slightly shellshocked.

"Harriet Ainsley?" a nurse called.

The elderly woman got up from her chair and went with her.

Emma glanced at Regina. "She thought Neal was our son."

Yes, I caught that much. Regina nodded and wasn't too sure what to think. She definitely didn't mind someone thinking Neal was their son. No, she definitely didn't mind that…

"Regina Mills?"

Showtime. The nurse calling her name did even make Regina flinch. It only made her feel determined. She stood from the uncomfortable plastic chair and followed the nurse to the doctors office.

"Yup, that's us," Emma said. She lifted the carrier with Neal, and it did not take long before she was right there with Regina in the doctor's office.

"Doctor Anton should be here in a moment," the nurse said. Then she left.

Regina took the opportunity to get ready. Took off her coat and brushed dust off her blazer.

"Nervous?" Emma asked gently.

Regina shook her head. She wasn't, actually. Not anymore. She was… fine.

"Just excited?"

Regina nodded and smiled as she signed: 'I am looking forward to seeing the result.'

"Me, too!"

'I hope the scars won't be too big.' Her smile faded a bit. That was something she worried about.

Emma took her hand. "You'll look beautiful, babe. No matter what."

Regina smiled.

'Daaah,' said Neal and drippled on his sweater.

"See, Neal agrees with me," Emma laughed. "He thinks you're beautiful too."

The silly sweetness had Regina laughing too as she went over and sat down in one of the other plastic chairs. She opened the first button in her blouse, so her throat was bared.

Neal began fussing and squirming and Emma frowned a bit as she looked at him. "Oh kid, please don't tell me you need your diaper changed again." She looked at Regina. "Babe, he had his diaper changed just before we left. He can't need another now, can he?"

Potentially, yes. Regina lifted an eyebrow. There was actually every chance that Neal needed a new diaper.

Emma lifted him out of the carrier and sniffed him. "Nope, not the problem. He smells of roses."

Well then. Regina chuckled softly at the amusing description.

"I think he just wants attention," Emma said as she gently rocked the now happy baby. "Isn't that right, kiddo?" she planted a kiss on his soft little cheek.

Goodness. Seeing Emma and Neal together and experiencing the natural bond between them was something that really tugged at Regina's heart strings.

The door opened and Doctor Anton stepped in. He smiled at both of them. "Hello Regina," he greeted. "Hello, Emma."

Emma returned the greeting while Regina shook hands with him.

"And I don't believe I've met this little fellow before?" The doctor had spotted the baby in Emma's arms, and now he was instinctively smiling.

"This is Neal," Emma introduced. "Regina and I are watching him while my adoptive father is... incapacitated."

She hadn't said 'brother'. Regina noticed that right away.

"Oh, I see," Doctor Anton said and smiled as he looked down at Neal. "What a sweet little guy."

'Guuuh', said Neal and looked at the new person giving him attention, causing all three of them to laugh.

"I can hear that your voice is improving," Doctor Anton kindly said. "Is it at all painful for you to laugh?"

Regina shook her head in negative and signed: 'a bit at first, but not anymore.' She was getting better and better at laughing.

"That's excellent," Doctor Anton said and slipped on a pair of latex gloves.. "And how about speech? Is that getting less painful as well?"

Did they really have to talk about that? Regina didn't want to. 'It is not painful to talk. But I still stutter.'

"The more you use your voice, the less you'll stutter," her doctor kindly reminded her. "Have you been using your voice regularly?"

Busted. Regina felt like a schoolgirl who had been caught smoking as she signed: 'not really'.

"I understand why you might not want to use your voice in public, Regina," Doctor Anton said patiently to her. "But I have to stress out that it's very, very important that you do. The more you use your voice, the more it'll strengthen your vocal cords, okay?"

Fine. Regina tried not to seem too annoyed as she nodded. She didn't have anything to be annoyed over. It was her own fault that Doctor Anton was saying this to her. She was the one who still wouldn't talk.

"Okay, let's get those stiches out, shall we?"

Regina nodded and tipped her head back, so her neck was on full display. Doctor Anton moved the chair so he could sit across her. He rolled the little tray table over and Regina tried not to look too much at the tweezer. The tweezer wasn't dangerous. It wouldn't hurt. At least not that much. She had been through worse. She could handle this.

"You'll feel me pulling your skin, alright." Doctor Anton gently grabbed onto the edge of the plaster on her throat. Then he slowly began to pull.

Regina made a face and without turning her head, she made eye contact with Emma and mouthed: 'You are better at this.' When one first had been in the capable, gentle hands of 'Nurse Swan', one became awfully spoilt and nothing else was quite good enough. Would it be completely outrageous of her to suggest that Emma did this instead? Seriously, Doctor Anton's hands and the way he pulled at the plaster felt clumsy compared to the way Emma had tended to her plaster and wound.

Perhaps Doctor Anton wasn't as good as 'Nurse Swan', but he worked quickly, and Regina felt cold air on her skin as the plaster was pulled away. She did not look down. Preferred looking at Emma and Neal. Much more comfortable.

"Okay, here we go," Doctor Anton said, and there was a little clanking sound as he grabbed the tweezer. "You may feel a slight nipping sensation, but it shouldn't be too bad, okay?"

Regina nodded and closed her eyes. She would prefer to see nothing but darkness for this part. To focus entirely on her breathing as long as the uncomfortable stuff was going on. But a 'slight nipping sensation' wasn't the first thing she felt. It was Emma's hand in hers. Emma's hand squeezing gently. A silent 'I'm here'.

So am I. Regina squeezed back. Then grimaced again as Doctor Anton's damned little tweezer pulled at the thread in her throat. It was more than 'a slight nipping sensation'. It actually hurt a little bit. But everything immediately felt a little better when Emma squeezed her hand again. And then Neal gave a little coo. That had Regina smiling despite being a bit uncomfortable. She did so love all his cute little sounds.

"Almost done."

Excellent. Regina hummed softly in approval and opened her eyes. Began to stroke the soft spot between Emma's thumb and index finger. Smiled in satisfaction at the look of utter bliss on Emma's face.

Emma smiled back.

There was no coughing. No gagging. No tears. No panic. Yes, she was uncomfortable, but not enormously. She was actually capable of smiling. Being amused. It was mind boggling that she was the same woman who once had been on the verge of throwing up because she was going to the doctor's. Regina felt endlessly proud of herself. How far she had come.

"And we're done. I'll find you a mirror so you can see the result."

Regina nodded and was a little surprise. Was this really it? Was he already done? Goodness, that was fast. Not that she was complaining, of course. She was thrilled that no one would ever poke and paw at her throat again. She was only vaguely aware that Doctor Anton took off his gloves and went over to his office drawer to find something. Most likely the mirror.

No, Regina was much more focused on Emma and her reaction. She lifted her hair and pushed it over her shoulder. Turned her upper body slightly and looked at Emma. Well? How does it look?

"Oh wow!" Emma said earnestly as she looked at her throat. "Babe, that looks amazing!"

"There we go," Doctor Anton said before Regina could get a chance to process what Emma had said. He handed her a little handhold mirror. "Take a look, Regina."

Oh god, oh god, oh god. Am I even ready for this?

The answer was no. In no way was she ready for this, and the mirror trembled in her hands as she held it up and looked at her plaster free, stitches free throat for the first time.

Oh god.

Her jaw dropped grew slack. Her lips parted and she touched her throat with a hand that trembled worser than ever. Her breath quickened. This was real.

A narrow, pink line where the incision had been made. So pale, it was barely there. And the mark after the belt buckle… Killian's mark on her… It was gone. Gone. All there was left, was a slightly reddened scar. But that would fade in time.

He no longer had any part in her.

The last visible mark of his vicious attack had been erased.

Regina felt whole. She would never look in the mirror and be forced to remember or shiver when seeing the mark.

My body is mine. Completely.

She cupped a hand over her mouth, but who was she kidding? There was no stopping her emotions. When she blinked, tears spilled onto her cheeks. She could not stop staring at her reflection. She could not believe what she was seeing.

"Oh honey." Emma's voice was as soft as the gentle hand she put on her shoulder.

Doctor Anton smiled. "This is the best result we could have hoped for. The healing process has gone smoothly thanks to Emma's care."

"I just did what the nurse showed me," Emma said.

Regina ignored the tears and shook her head firmly, glaring slightly at Emma. A silent reminder to not be so modest. Emma's help and care had been everything, and she would not accept that Emma tried to tone it down.

"Well, I'm very happy to say that there's nothing more we can do for you, Regina," Doctor Anton said, and Regina took the opportunity to wipe her cheeks. "Your treatment here has come to an end. Your throat is healed perfectly as we've just seen. Continue with the voice therapy, train your voice and everything else will come soon enough, alright?"

Regina nodded and felt a bit shaky as she stood from the chair. She took Doctor Anton's hand and shook it. Held onto it for perhaps a second longer than she normally would have. Thank you.

Emma was next to shake the doctor's hand. She held onto Neal's carrier with one hand and used the other to shake Doctor Anton's.

"Alright then. Goodbye you three," Doctor Anton said with a smile. "I wish you good luck, Regina. I wish you both good luck. And I don't want to see you here again, Regina."

Regina and Emma laughed in unison at his joke, and Emma said: "No more doctors. Not ever."

Feeling like a giddy fool, Regina laughed at that too. Then she put her coat back on and put a hand on Emma's arm. She was very much ready to go.

Neal had his own way of saying goodbye. He cooed. Much to everyone's amusement.

Emma was the one driving. To Dragon Publishing where her workday waited, but she might as well have taken them to a foreign country instead. Regina was not aware of the road. She was busier looking at her reflection in the mirror. She couldn't get enough of looking at herself. Vanity be damned, she looked good. She was going to wear so many lowcut tops and V-neck sweaters now. No more scarves. Never would she be hiding her throat again. Never.

"I'm so happy for you, beautiful. So, so happy."

Regina turned her head and flashed Emma a smile. She had a feeling that she looked goofy, but what the hell. She was allowed to be goofy! The happiness was bubbling within her.

"Oh man, you're glowing! I wish I could spend the day with you instead of going to work."

Regina laughed and wasn't even kidding when she signed: 'I will be much too busy looking at myself.'

"As you should be!"

Rather than giving an answer, Regina reached up and touched her throat instead. She couldn't help it. She just had to touch one more time. Just to ensure that it truly was real. And it was.

"Guuuh," Neal cooed from the backseat and Regina chuckled.

When they arrived at Dragon Publishing, Emma was being every bit dramatic. "I don't wanna go!" she loudly proclaimed, and Regina gave her knee a little squeeze.

"Can't I stay home with you instead?" Emma asked sweetly "We could go to bed, and I could kiss your neck until Henry comes home from school..."

Well. Regina's stomach curled pleasantly at the thought. But unfortunately, one of them had to be sensible, and since Emma clearly wasn't going to, it was up to Regina. 'That would have been nice. But I think you have work today.', she signed.

"Yeah. Unfortunately," Emma groaned. "Would much rather hang out with you and the kid."

'And be on diaper duty all afternoon?'

"Happily..."

Regina shook her head and rolled her eyes slightly. Sweet offer, but… 'I have work too. I have a student who needs extensive help.'

"Okay, okay, miss professor," Emma drawled. "I get it. You want me to get the hell out of here..."

No. Never. Regina promptly leaned in and kissed her. Earned herself a surprised little gasp. But then Emma cupped her face tenderly. Regina put her hands on Emma's shoulders. Would have preferred pushing her fingers into Emma's soft locks, but Emma was going to work in a moment. She couldn't look disheveled. They had to be professional.

So after a moment, Regina pulled back and gave a sly grin as she carefully wiped the corners of Emma's lips with her thumb.

"I bet your lipstick really suits me…"

It does. Regina winked at her.

Under much groaning, Emma unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door. "Alright. I'm going to work. I seriously am."

She got out of the car. Grabbed her bag from the backseat and told Neal to be a good boy. The little boy cooed in response and Emma chuckled.

Regina wiggled onto the driver's seat and buckled her seatbelt. Checked in the mirror to see if Neal was still happy. He was. Good. She rolled the window down so she could say goodbye to Emma like they always did.

Emma leaned in and poked her head through the open window. "Are you gonna come and pick me up from work, or am I taking the bus home?"

Regina snorted. Unladylike, yes, but she didn't care. Emma was being particularly silly right now.

"Okay. Bus it is, then," Emma laughed as she planted a kiss on her cheek. "Have a good day. Stare yourself silly in the mirror."

Regina snorted again. And she knew that she was gonna do just that.

"I mean it." Emma kissed her cheek again. "Oh, and don't make any more cocoa without me, okay?"

Duly noted. Regina smiled.

"Alright. See you late then." She pecked Regina's cheek one more time and then left.

So did Regina. She drove off with a happy, cooing baby in the backseat.

But she didn't get very far.

As soon as it was possible, Regina pulled over and whipped out her phone. Took a picture of herself where her neck was as visible as her face. She sent the picture to Zelena with the words: what do you think?

She hadn't even started the car before her phone chimed. She of course checked the response immediately.

'Oh my god, sis! You look fantastic! That looks amazing, oh my gosh, I am so, so happy for you! How do you feel?'

'Fantastic', Regina replied, smiling beamingly and knew that she had successfully managed to put her feelings into words…

To Be Continued….