Emma's baby isn't waiting for anyone! Nor, for that matter, is Regina's...

Mifflin Street

Another month passed, and Emma and Regina were now less than two weeks from their due dates. Emma had just received word from her mother that Dorothy Lucas had gone into labour, her waters breaking whilst having lunch in the Earl of Locksley. So, due her obvious discomfort walking, she drove the short distance to Sherwood Clinic to offer support to her friends. Waddling slowly in to the maternity unit waiting room, she found Snow already waiting.

"Hi mum. What's happening? Has Dot had it yet?"

"Not yet, sweetie. Ruby came out half an hour ago. She's gone back in there with Carrie Locksley, and I'm told it should be fairly soon."

As they settled, a nurse came out, walking swiftly to a nearby room, from where, a moment later, a serious-faced Merlin (or Professor Sage when in his medical role), emerged and the two stepped briskly back into the maternity room. Something's gone wrong!

A minute later, a nurse Emma recognised came out the same doors. "Chloë? Everything all right with Dorothy? I just saw Merlin dash in there."

"Oh, hi Emma! It's Okay, just there were a few complications; so Caroline wanted a senior gynae in there! It's all good. She's just given birth a couple of minutes ago. Mother and baby are both doing well."

"She's had it?" Snow gasped. "Boy or girl?"

"A beautiful baby boy. Lovely blue eyes. Good size too. Sorry, but I need to dash…" she made her apologies and trotted off.

Two minutes later, a tired-looking Ruby came through the doors. "Snow, Emma?"

"Congratulations!" Snow jumped up, and positively smothered her best friend and new mother, in a hug. "I'm so pleased! You have a son?"

The princess then continued to bombard Ruby with questions about the labour, making Emma feel sorry for the woman. "Whoa, hold up mum! Give the poor woman a chance? Can't you see she's shattered?"

"Don't worry about it, Emma," Ruby gave her a tired smile. "I've known your mum a long time, and she's just concerned. One of many reasons why I love her. They're just cleaning her up now, so I'll check to see if she's ready for visitors yet, and come back?"

~oOo~

It was a good half hour later, when Snow and Emma were invited into a small side room, where Dorothy now lay propped up, nursing her newborn.

"Oh Dorothy, he's gorgeous!" sniffled Snow, as the baby open his eyes to the sound of her voice. "Those eyes - such a beautiful blue! And his cheeks! I just want to eat him all up!" She continued cooing, making the others chuckle.

"Snow, would you like to hold your new godson?"

"I'd love nothing more." She took the tiny bundle from his mother, all the time whispering sweet nothings and nonsense to him, while stroking his cheek. Emma watched her petting him, wondering whether she'd received this kind of fuss the day she was born. Before her father put her in a that wardrobe? She must have done, right? Then she thought of giving birth to Henry, and how she couldn't even look at him, knowing they'd have to be parted. Finally, as her hands rested on her swollen abdomen, she thought of how, in a couple of weeks, she was also going to be a new mother all over again. This time, I'll do it right, my darling girl! This time I'm going to try to give you everything Henry never got from me. The hugs, the kisses, the stories. This time, I'll get it right, I promise! As her mind continued to drift, she heard a voice interrupting her thoughts.

"Emma? Emma! Goodness me, she's away with the fairies today!" Snow tried to get her attention.

"Um…what? Sorry, I was miles away. Suffering from baby brain, I guess. Sorry mum, what did you say?"

As the other women chuckled, Ruby said softly, "she asked you whether you wanted to hold him? You might as well get a bit of practice in. You'll be doing it soon enough yourself."

Emma nodded, stepping forward to carefully receive the baby in her arms. "Hello there, little one! I'm your Auntie Emma. She's right, you are a handsome fella aren't you? I hope you'll want to play with my little girl when you meet her, as I think she'll like you." She cuddled the tiny body and leaned down to kiss his forehead, savouring that odd baby smell she now found intoxicating. As her head drew back, the baby's piercing blue eyes opened again to look straight at her. An expression crossing his tiny face which seemed vaguely familiar.

He reminded her of someone, but who? "He's gorgeous, Dorothy. I'm so pleased for you both."

"Thanks, Emma. Snow, have you told David yet? I'd love Nathaniel to meet at least one of his godfathers today. I know Victor won't be back from New York till the weekend."

"I texted him when I came over, but he doesn't know yet. I'll call him in a moment as I'm sure he'll want to come. Wait - did you say 'Nathaniel'?"

"Yes. Or Nat for short, after a favourite cousin of Dot's. It's biblical, and thought it sounded cool."

"I like it. Nathaniel, I'm your new god-mummy Snow, and I am going to spoil you rotten!" said the princess as she rubbed her nose against the baby's. "Ooh, I can't wait. I've got a gorgeous new godson; and very soon a new granddaughter! And then who knows what Regina's will be? What with Mulan's little one, there's going to be new babies galore in Storybrooke. So much new life. It's wonderful!"

~oOo~

A few minutes later, after finally pulling Snow away to allow his mothers a chance to rest, the pair stepped out into the maternity reception area.

As they walked, Emma spotted Dorothy's maternity nurse. "Chloë? Can I have a word about the birthing arrangements for Regina and me?"

"Sure Emma, just give me a moment while I finish something. Wait here a sec?"

As Emma stood by the desk waiting for the woman's return, her eyes skimmed across some papers on the desk in front. It was a blue formal-looking document for birth registration. She couldn't resist reading the name at the top:

Nathaniel Killian Gale Lucas

She froze. Killian? Why would they name him Killian? Was it just a friend thing? He never seemed particularly close to Ruby, and she was pretty sure he'd never even met Dorothy before he died. It was an unusual name, so why him? That's when she realized why she thought little Nathaniel's eyes and brow seemed so familiar! Killian? Could he have been the donor? She doubted Dorothy would be unfaithful, as the wolf seemed as delighted as her to be pregnant.

"Mum, do you know anything about Dorothy's pregnancy? Was it by an anonymous donor?"

"I assume so, my love, but I can't be certain. I know Professor Sage helped them, and magic was involved, though…" Snow remembered her conversation with Blue about 'magical babies', when she thought Regina and Emma might have conceived together. Her own embarrassing behaviour, after, when she thought Regina had been unfaithful. "I now know there's no such thing as babies being born without a seed. Why?"

"Oh…nothing. Just wondering."

Only two days later, Emma woke feeling decidedly odd. The child in her womb was pushing ever harder down by the day, and she was starting to feel nauseous every time it tried to turn inside her. While she couldn't wait to greet her new daughter as quickly as possible, she also couldn't wait for the day she could work to get her usual athletic trim figure back. She'd almost planned, to the day, when she could safely go running again.

"Calm down in there, my lovely. Every time you turn, your mum feels quite sick! Sorry but your dad's not around to calm you down this time." Standing at the sink to take a glass of water, that's when she felt it. Feeling a sudden 'pop' from within, she looked down to feel a warm rush from between her legs.

Her waters had broken!

"Oh shit!" she muttered, knowing full well what was happening, and their rehearsed procedure. "GINA?" she yelled down the stairs. As she moved to call again from the landing, she felt familiar magic close by, turning to see, amongst the swirl, somebody apparate. "Robin, what on earth are you doing back?"

"Sounds odd, but I kind of felt you calling me? Like something was wrong. What's happened?"

"I think my water's just broke. I never felt any contractions, but the amount of liquid on the bathroom floor? Sorry, I've made a bit of a mess in there."

"Don't worry about that, I'll sort it out later. Let's just get you to the hospital. Where's Gina?"

"In the kitchen, I think. She was going to make some tea. Rob, I know we rehearsed all this, but I'm still…a bit nervous."

"Of course you are, my love, it's to be expected. But we're here with you now." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, kissing her cheek. "Come on, the bags are ready to go. Let me quickly phone the hospital so they'll expect us. Are you okay if I just poof us there, or would you rather we take the car?"

That's when the first contraction hit.

"Oh fuuuuuuucking hell!" Emma winced, buckling as she stood. "Poof us! I don't know how quick this'll go!"

"GINA!" yelled Robin, getting a panicked response from the brunette down below. "WE NEED TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL! The equally heavily pregnant woman appeared at the bottom of the staircase, white faced and with a fearful look in her eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to shout, but we need to get Emma to the hospital quick. Her waters have gone and I-" That's when he noticed the older woman' expression. "Gina? Are you okay?"

"I think I've just had a contraction of my own, in the kitchen!" she called up. "Help?"

This was ridiculous! Surely they couldn't both be having contractions at the same time? Could they? Bloody hell, how do you prepare for something like this? Shit!

Robin tried his best to stay calm, for their sake, even though he wasn't feeling it. "Ok, let's get you both to the hospital. Once we get you into the hands of the nurses, I'll poof back here and deal with Honour and Roland, then come straight back. Hold on…" with a twirl of his hand, the large bag of items Regina had prepared for the births and kept under the stairs, now appeared in his hand. He then apparated Regina from the bottom of the stairs, next to them on the landing.

Emma quickly took her wife's hands in her own for mutual support. "It's okay, Gina, we're going to be okay! We prepared for this, right? So, when you're ready, Robin, let's go."

Storybrooke Hospital

A moment later, Robin apparated all three of them to an agreed, empty room, close to the maternity unit. The room Merlin suggested, so nobody would get a shock when they appeared, risking dropping a baby or worse.

He opened the door leading out to maternity reception, where Lavinia Whitehand sat. "Robin? I didn't see you there?" Then she spotted Regina and Emma walking close behind. "Oh! Which one needs help?" she got up immediately.

"Both, Livvy - help please? We think they've both had contractions around the same time. It looks like Emma's water's broke though?"

"Right then – Emma, let's get you onto a gurney, and get you seeing someone as soon as possible. How many contractions have you had, and how far apart?" She took the Saviour's arm, leading her through, after having pressed a button for assistance.

"Just the one. But that was only after they broke. That's okay, right?" she answered, nervously.

Another nurse appeared from the maternity unit, taking Emma's other arm. "That's not unusual. Now come with me, and let's get you on to a trolley?" She answered calmly, leaving Livvy free to go back to Regina, who was currently holding tightly on to Robin.

"Now Regina, same question for you. How many contractions?"

"One - same time as Emma's. But deal with her first, as my water's haven't broken!"

"Don't worry, we'll deal with both of you just fine. She's in good hands - Patricia's one of our best midwives. Now let me take you through, too; I have instructions from Professor Sage, that as magic's involved with your own babies, I'm supposed to let him know so he can be on call. I trust you're all right with that?" Regina looked at Robin, who nodded in agreement. "It makes sense, Gina. He's also supposed to be one of the world's top gynaecologists, and you do both deserve the best!" He grinned back at her, trying to hide his own nerves.

~oOo~

Having completed administration, Regina and Robin walked steadily in to Emma's delivery room, and she was hugely relieved to see them. They found her now half-sitting, half-lying, on a special maternity gurney, a bed-seat for birthing, wearing a patient gown and monitors attached to on her wrist, heart and abdomen, amid various bleeping and whooshing noises. "Gina, Rob! Come here!"

Robin felt a moment of panic, seeing all of the wires attached. "Pat, what's happening? Is she okay?"

"She's stable, Robin. We're just monitoring the baby's heartbeat and her blood pressure, to see how things are progressing. Her waters definitely broke, and it seems she had her first contraction about twenty minutes ago, just before you got here, so the next one's imminent."

Regina went to Emma's side, kissing her brow and taking her hand, looking at Robin. "I'm staying with her. You need to get back to the children. We left them in the house, alone!" Emma also looked worried at the reminder.

"All in hand, miladies! Henry and I already had this covered. He's at home with them right now. Maria and John are already on their way there, in case they need anything. We won't call Emma's parents, until you ask us to as we didn't want Snow panicking. If we're still here tonight, John will stay over. Everything's taken care of and I'm not leaving."

"Henry already knows? He's done all that?" Regina gasped. "How? We've only been here a few minutes and you've been with me the whole time!"

Robin pulled his cell phone out. "Texting. Your son's bright – you two did a great job raising him! We planned several eventualities, and he gave them all operation names, like he used to. So, I just sent him a text, 'Operation Royal Cygnets', and he swung into action!"

Emma chuckled. "That sounds like Henry!" She looked lovingly at her wife, squeezing her hand. It was a moment later when the second contraction hit. Hard.

"Jeezuz wept!" she winced, hearing the bleeping noises suddenly become louder and faster. "This fucking hurts!"

Nurse Pat stepped over, after studying the monitors. "Emma, I just need you to breathe through it! Let's time how long it lasts, ad that should help us work out how long your labour will be. Breath deeply with me now…" As the nurse loudly breathed for her to copy, Emma also heard the soft galloping noise from the baby monitor increase. "Pat - the baby? It's faster! Really fast! Is she supposed to do that?" she was starting to panic, squeezing her wife's hand tightly as she breathed through the pain. "Is she going to be okay?"

"Emma, she's reacting to your own faster heartbeat. We really need you trying to calm now! Yes, the baby's heartbeat is faster, but it's ok. Just, come on…breathe with me? This is important. Low, steady breaths now…"

Regina kissed the back of the blonde's hand in support as the contraction finished. The breathing helped Emma's heart beat slow a little but the baby's was still racing! As the women breathed slowly together, Lavinia popped her head around the door. "Alright in here?" As she waited for a response, she also heard the noise from the monitor. "Hmm. I'm sure it'll be fine but probably time I called the Professor anyway." That received anxious nods of agreement from the trio. Regina felt her own belly twitch violently and held her free hand against it. Robin saw the anxious looks all around and decided to try something. He walked around to Emma's free side, hitching himself on the edge of the chair to place his hands on either side of her abdomen, lowering his mouth to her skin, before speaking.

"Hey, young lady - this is papa!" He spoke in a deliberately low, calming tone as he bent closer to her stomach. "Now we really need you to calm down in there until mummy's ready for you to come out properly! You have a lovely big family here just waiting to meet you, but it's a bit early right now, so we need you to be calm and just relax, just like your mum is trying to do, right now. You've got two of them you know? Two incredibly brave, powerful mummies who love you even before they've met you! I'm not as clever as them, but I am a lot better at staying calm. And I am so looking forward to meeting you, my kitten! So, could you do that for us? Perhaps stay still for a little bit longer?" He continued in a similar vein for a couple of minutes, professing his love to an unborn baby that had absolutely no idea what was going on. However, for some reason, it worked, and the baby's heart monitor went noticeably slower, earning a smile from the nurse and Emma, who rolled her eyes.

"All right, smart ass, how'd you know that would even work?" She nonetheless smiled, putting a hand behind his head, pulling him down to kiss him.

"Well…it works for her mother!" He winked, before dropping a kiss on her nose. Regina watched them, delighted by the love that had developed between her two loves. As her mind wandered, two new visitors walked into the room.

"Ah, the Locksley-Swan-Mills trio, all together I see! Excellent. So, Patricia, what's the situation?" Merlin was closely followed by Caroline Locksley. The midwife gave them an update on Emma's two contractions as the Sorcerer moved quickly across to the patient, floating his hands across the blonde's swollen abdomen. Emma felt the warmth of his magic flowing under her skin. Had anyone else done that, she'd be terrified, but there was something incredibly calming about the silver-bearded man that put her at ease. "Well, all seems to be in order Emma, though it's clear your baby's a little distressed right now. Regina, what about you? Lavinia tells me you also had a contraction before you came in? How long ago?"

"About the same time as Emma. I've had nothing since, but when she had another just now, this baby seems to have gone a little crazy too! It's almost like it's following her…" she looked at Emma and could see their concern that she hadn't told them. She knew Emma was the priority after all!

"How very interesting. May I examine you too?" Regina nodded, getting ready to undress before Merlin stopped her. "No, don't worry, there's no need for you to undress just yet. I just want to scan you…" With that, he moved across to roam his hands above Regina's clothed belly, as he had with Emma. Closing his eyes, he gave a lop-sided smirk, before keeping his right hand above Regina but leaning to float his left hand above Emma's belly once more. The smirk became a smile as, while keeping his eyes closed, Merlin gave his opinion.

"They're aware of each other, and know the other ne is close by! Their magic seems to be reaching out to communicate, but obviously they don't know how. At least not yet! These two will clearly be close in the years to come."

"So, they both have magic for sure?" asked Emma.

"Oh, most definitely. Very powerful too! Not surprising really, considering the True Love element."

"That explains Robin and Regina's baby. She's always been his True Love. And soulmate. But it doesn't explain mine?"

"Emma, I'm surprised at you! Surely, you realise that you, Regina and Robin combined, have a true love element all of your own? The three of you have created a child together, as you have with the child Regina is carrying. I can already tell from the signature she is giving off; the child you're carrying has Regina's DNA inside her, not just Robin's! I'm sure the same applies to Regina's child. It is a part of you, too."

"That's impossible! I may be no biology expert, but even I know it takes one egg, and one sperm, to make a baby!"

The Sorcere looked across at the nurses. "Patricia, Lavinia, would you mind leaving us for a moment? I need to discuss something a little confidential!"

Both women and Caroline nodded without question, stepping outside, leaving those remaining, puzzled.

"I thought it best to avoid any added awkwardness or embarrassment for you all." Urging Robin to come closer, he continued. "So, I need to ask a couple of intimate questions. When the babies were conceived, were all three of you together?" That drew slightly embarrassed looks from them, all silently nodding. "And, I'm sorry to make you feel awkward, but did Robin, erm, alternate his penetration between you both, in a very small space of time? Within seconds, perhaps?"

All three were stunned by being asked such an intimate question! But Regina nodded once again. "Well, to explain it simply, Robin somehow transferred your DNA between you both, along with his own, during intercourse. Normally it wouldn't matter, but in this instance, all three of you possess powerful magic. That, combined with your true love link, has created two babies with three genetic parents. It's quite remarkable really!"

Regina gasped. "You're seriously saying that I'm Emma's baby's mother? And she's my baby's?"

"I am. They're both true genetic siblings, with powerful magic, from a true love union between all three of you!"

Emma's frown slowly turned into a smile. "Gina, you've made two more babies!"

"I have - all thanks to you…" Regina sniggered, leaning across to place a good solid kiss on her wife's lips. "And a certain thief we know?"

"Glad to be of service, miladies." He grinned, watching them.

"Ok, let's get this show on the road!" Merlin rubbed his hands together in anticipatin. "Emma, it looks like you're due another contraction in fifteen minutes or so. Patricia tells me your waters have broken, your cervix has already started dilation, and from the length of your contractions I guess you're going to be delivering anything between ten and twenty hours from now. But...your magic may speed that up. Regina, I think you had a sympathy contraction and may be at least a day or two behind Emma. But let's see how we go. The important thing to remember is that you're in excellent hands with Patricia and Lavinia, and I'll be on call if needed. Any questions?"

A good twelve hours later, in the early evening, Emma's contractions shortened to five minutes apart and she was well on her way. She'd urged Regina to go rest, but she refused to leave.

Emma was now sitting in the birthing chair, legs in stirrups, feeling tired, sore and very irritated.

"I swear Locksley, once this is over, you come at me with that thing again, without getting a vasectomy, I'll cut your bollocks off!" she growled.

He knew she was frightened, so ignoring her threats, he merely continued holding her hand and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Sorry to be the cause of your pain my love; but I promise it will be worth it! You'll soon be holding our precious baby in your arms, even if I do have to forego your favours. And once again, as I promised earlier, I'm more than willing to have a vasectomy, though preferably at the hands of a suitably trained surgeon, not you with a couple of bricks?"

Regina smiled at the squabbling pair, as she lay on the small bed they'd provided. That's when a contraction of her own kicked in.

"Ooof!" she winced, as the pressure in her pelvis kicked in. The dull ache in her back had been bad, but this was something very different! Livvy quickly stepped in front of her, establishing that her own labour had finally started. Robin momentarily panicked, feeling helpless at the sight of both of his lovers now doubled in pain.

"That looks like the real thing this time." Lavinia leant over, pressing the call button. "Regina, we need to get you up to another room and hooked up to the machines. Have you-"

"I'm not leaving Emma!" she yelled, taking Robin's hand in her free one.

"Livvy, is there any reason why they can't give birth in the same room?" he asked, trying to remain calm for all of them.

Patricia nodded, "I'll see what we can do. The machines are quite heavy, and there's always the chance we need to do a C-section, but, well, let's see what Professor Sage suggests?"

Livvy stepped out of the room, and in less than a minute, Merlin reappeared. "Well, under these unusual circumstances..." He closed his eyes to picture the machines and contents situated in a nearby room, which now apparated in the corner. A second birthing bed then appeared close by.

"Now Regina, please let Lavinia get you sorted out, so we find out what stage you're at? Emma's baby is close, so Pat, why don't we get Regina changed, put the beds together facing opposite ways, but with the upper ends close? Then they can support and even hold onto each other while we all get to work?" The medics agreed, moving Regina carefully onto the new birthing bed, just as Emma's next contraction hit.

"OOOWWW!" she bellowed. Regina leant across to take her hand, flinching as the Saviour squeezed it hard, along with Robin's on her left. Livvy strapped the monitors onto Regina, and switched the machines on.

"Okay Emma, you're fully dilated. Now I need you to be very brave, as your baby's going to be with us very shortly. Now remember, don't push until we're ready!" Patricia's voice assumed a calm authority. They saw the look of abject fear on the blonde's sweat-soaked face, her hair lying flat and sodden.

"She's the bravest woman I've ever known!" Regina dropped a kiss on the back of her hand. "Come on Emma, I'm with you. We both are. You can do this!"

"We love you, Emma," Robin added. "Swear at me, and squeeze my hand as tight as you want, my love."

"Oh…oh…oh…MOTHERFUUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKK!" she screamed as the pain tore right through her.

~oOo~