They talked about expanding their family numerous times. Regina could see themselves with another but she didn't have the best experience with pregnancy. Even if there hadn't been a lot of physical complications, any time she thinks about getting pregnant again she's reminded of the emotional stress she was under during that time. And even ignoring that, she had hated almost every minute of her pregnancy. The way her stomach stretched, the swollen ankles and morning sickness. Mary Margaret said she'd do it ten times over if the baby years weren't such a bitch. For Regina, she'd gladly trade pregnancy for raising a child.
At the same time, adoption felt like it was out of the equation. They could afford it but neither of them were sure they wanted another child that badly. Two years into marriage, they agreed to discuss fostering once Henry was in his teens. In the meantime, they were careful. If Regina got pregnant, they'd be happy and get through it. For now, they were happy as a family of four. That was only cemented when Killian and Mal had a surprise pregnancy. It was hell on her poor best friend and Regina doubled down that Henry would be her only biological child. In the meantime, they got the boys a puppy and that starved off the "Can we have a baby brother?" questions.
Just two years following their choice, Cora passed away. Regina debated going to the funeral. They hadn't spoken since Henry was a baby and Regina was sure it'd be the last. After going back and forth for a bit, Regina decided to attend with Robin by her side. Mary Margaret and David looked after the boys for the weekend. Cora's new husband took care of most of the arrangements, all they had to do was show up.
Regina barely recognized anyone at the wake but one person in particular stood out to her. Copper ringlets, deep blue eyes and a hand over her swollen bump. The mysterious woman's gaze remained on Regina's throughout the service. Towards the end, most had gone but she remained. Regina left Robin by the casket, strolling over to the woman.
"Are you okay?" The woman's mouth opened then shut, her eyes widening. "Seriously, you've been staring at me all evening. What gives?"
The woman let out a shaky breath. "I um…my name is Zelena West. Cora was my biological mother."
It took all Regina had not to pass out, both in the funeral home and at the hotel bar she found herself at afterwards. Her mother had been pregnant just a few years prior to meeting her father. A college fling lead to a child being given up for adoption. Zelena had been raised in a loving home, but after finding herself pregnant she wanted to know where she came from. Her biological father had been a bust, wanting nothing to do with her. Zelena got the courage to find Cora three days too late. Given that her mother never mentioned the child, Regina is unsure how Cora would've taken the news.
Regina tried to have a relationship with her newly found sister but it was clear early on the resentment that Zelena harbored. She was the "chosen one", raised by Cora and given all of the advantages that came with it. Zelena couldn't quite understand that a life with Cora wasn't easy. If anything, Regina almost envied her. A life with two stable parents who cherished her every move. Two alive parents at that, Regina was going on 22 years without her father. Both sisters wanted what the other had and it was ultimately their undoing. After only two meetings after the funeral, Regina was convinced she had heard the last of her sister.
Until one rainy March evening. Roland is at Marian's for the week, Henry's sleeping soundly upstairs. Regina and Robin enjoy one of their rare quiet moments cuddled up on the couch with chocolate cake and trashy reality TV. Regina's phone vibrates in her yoga pants' pocket. She debates ignoring it as she goes for another bite. And then an irrational fear of a break-in at her closed diner causes her to rumble through to find her phone. As soon as it hits her ear, she sits up right.
"I'm looking for Regina Locksley."
"This is she. What is this regarding?"
"I'm sorry for calling so late. My name is Helen Reid, I'm with the Department of Children and Families in Boston. I understand you're related to Zelena West."
The name alone causes her heart to stop. "I'm her sister."
"Three days ago, Ms. West gave birth to a baby girl. She relinquished the child at the hospital with requests that you take her."
Three hours later, Mary Margaret is crashing in their guest bedroom. Robin sits silently in the driver's seat as Regina stares at her call log, reliving Helen's words over and over. If they don't take her, she'll enter the foster system. They've barely discussed this. As soon as she told Robin, he uttered a simple let's go. She's tried to contact Zelena, but the number is no longer in service.
"What are we doing?" Regina whispers.
"Your sister had a baby and we're going to go see it…I mean, her."
"I know that, but…" Regina lets out a deep breath. "Is this crazy? I mean we don't even know where Zelena is, what she wants? I mean for all we know, we take this little girl and Zelena comes back in a few weeks demanding her back."
"That's why we're going to stay in Boston for a few days. I called a lawyer friend I have in the area while you were on the phone with Mary Margaret."
A bit of relief fills her veins. "You did?"
Robin nods. "He's agreed to meet with us in the morning. I also got us a hotel near the hospital." He spares Regina a look as traffic slows to a stop. "Mary Margaret agreed to help out at the diner, right?"
"Yes. And tell Killian what's going on."
"Right. I already phoned my secretary. She'll have Tyler take over my patients for now. And we can FaceTime with the boys once we know more."
Regina lets out a deep breath. "How are you so calm right now?"
"I'm freaking out on the inside." He takes her hand and kisses it before resuming his eyes on the highway before them. "But we'll take this one step at a time."
Regina nods. "One step at a time," she quietly whispers.
By the time they get to Boston, visiting hours are over. They check into their hotel and have a sleepless night before heading back to the hospital. Robin's fingers lace with hers as they make it up to the room set aside for them. A pink face with the widest blue eyes greets them. The nurse picks her up and Robin is the first to hold out his arms. Regina watches intently as he snuggles her close, his eyes locked on hers. The tears gather, threatening to fall down her face. Slowly, she turns to the nurse.
"Does she have a name?"
The nurse nods. "Margot."
"Margot," Regina breathlessly repeats.
She gently nudges Robin. He grins and turns to her, placing the baby into her arms. Regina stares down at the tiny face, less chubby than Henry's was when he was born, her features unsquished. Her full lips open and close a few times, imitating a sucking motion.
"She might be hungry," the nurse says. "It's been nearly 2 hours since she last ate. Would you like to, Mrs. Locksley?"
Regina doesn't take her eyes off the baby. "Um, yes, please."
She's settled into an overstuffed rocking recliner, a small bottle placed in her hand. It takes a minute for Margot to latch on and once she does, she drinks greedily. Little by little, Regina's heart cracks open for this little one snuggled into her grasp.
Regina doesn't have any of the answers. According to Helen, they still haven't gotten in touch with Zelena. Robin's lawyer friend is working with social services to get them temporary custody. It's going to be a long road ahead of them.
Right now, Regina isn't scared of any of that. She wants to feed this little girl that has no one else.
