I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
7: Heaven is Home
In the end, they went with Emma's crazy plan. Regina's back was covered in tattoos and they still could not have sex without Emma blacking out for a day. The good news was Regina was not quite as energized when it happened and she could leave the apartment without having hordes of people folk to her. So, it was possible Emma could jumpstart the tattoos, but they were not sure how many would be necessary for Emma to charge the tattoos enough for them to just work and stop draining her. At least Emma had not died from this and she was pretty confident she would not. Regina was not as confident, but she let Emma keep things up. Now, whenever they had sex, Emma tried to purposely pump her magic out, hoping it would be enough. So far, no luck.
Then, Regina hit Emma with even heavier news — she was pregnant. Twelve weeks, which was fine. She had been with Emma for half that time. It was just something else for them to deal with. Life just kept happening.
"I don't understand. I've been practicing safe sex," Regina said. They were alone in the apartment, on the sofa, and Regina clutched her medical paperwork in both hands. For all her tension, there were no wrinkles in the paper, as if she held it with tight, but tender care. Regina had not said it, but it was clear from the delicate way she treated the paper, this baby was wanted.
Emma put her hands on Regina's wrist. "Sometimes, it doesn't always work."
Regina gave her that "are you an idiot" look. "Condoms are almost always effective."
That was true, but Regina slept with a lot of strangers that she did not know very well when they fell into bed. Yes, she liked them, but that did not mean they were the best of people. "Well, yes, if the guy keeps it on. You have to remember you didn't really know the guys you slept with. It only takes one asshole to stealth you."
Regina's forehead wrinkled. "To do what?"
"It's when guys roll the condom off during sex."
Regina gasped. "Who does that?"
"Assholes."
"I didn't… None of them…" Regina shook her head, like that would order her thoughts. "I would've noticed."
"Maybe, maybe not. You wouldn't be the first. But, it doesn't have to be something that bad." Emma did not want Regina to lose faith in humanity yet again. "It could have been something else. The condom could've come off on it's own. It could've been inside out. It could've been messed up. Hell, sometimes, guys have old condoms because they don't think those things expire."
Regina frowned. "I hadn't considered any of those things."
"I don't think anyone does when you're in the moment. It's just stuff that could happen. But, it's like you walk outside and you could get hit by a bus. You don't plan for those things." Emma stared at Regina. "Well, maybe you do. Most people don't."
Regina was quiet for a long time. Her face was blank, but she held onto the papers with the same intensity. "This changes things."
"How so? You want to find the father?" They could have a side quest. It probably would not take much to track down any and all of Regina's lovers, even though the list was probably over two dozen people. At least they would only have to find the men. Part of her did not want to see what type of women Regina was attracted to.
Regina snorted. "Not to make you feel bad, but do you know how many sexual partners I had before settling down with you? A lot."
Emma did not like to think about it, but she did not feel any animosity about it. "I'm aware. But, it's not impossible, especially if you still have all of their phone numbers. Hell, even if you don't."
Regina sighed. "I know. I'm not ready to bother with that, but I'm also not ready to bring a child into the madness of Storybrooke or my life."
Emma was not sure she followed. "Do you want to… terminate?" That did not seem like Regina. For some reason, her stomach flipped over the idea. I know it's not my kid, but it feels like my kid already.
Regina blinked. "What? No."
Emma released a breath she did not know she held and her chest loosened. "Then, what is it? What do you want to do?"
Regina looked her directly in the eye. "To stop pretending we're going to go back."
Emma could feel her face doing a lot of things at that moment. "Huh?"
Regina turned her body to focus on Emma, papers in her hand forgotten. "I want us to stop pretending we're going to go back. The only time any of us mention that place is when we mention my powers and we don't even do that often. We enrolled Henry in school, Emma."
"That we did." It was a big moment. They all took him the first day. They all cried. He pretended not to know them. He was smart.
Regina searched her face. "Do you want to go back? I won't stand in your way if you do, especially since I'm now with child."
Emma laughed. "With child. I can't believe you're basically a New Yorker, but still said 'with child.' You think that matters to me? Fuck Storybrooke."
There was nothing for her to go back to in Storybrooke. Her parents had not gotten in touch with her since she left. The only reason she knew anything about them was because Ruby spoke to her. She also had Ruby looking out for Tinker Bell, knowing she meant a lot to Regina. Apparently, Regina was unable to get in contact with Tinker Bell, which was because Tinker Bell had no clue how to use any modern technology. Not too long ago, Regina sent Ruby money for Tinker Bell, so now Tinker Bell had a phone, but she did not know how to use it. Ruby was helping her. But, those were their only connections to Storybrooke. Everything else she needed was right here for her.
Emma took both of Regina's hands and held them while being careful of her paperwork. "You are my family. You, Henry, and your asshole brother, who apparently can turn into a good guy when around you and Henry, and now this little mini-you you're raising. I would love nothing more than to stay with you and raise the hell out of this kid just like you raised the hell out of Henry. Fuck Storybrooke. The only person who checks on me is Ruby. Well, we check on each other, but you know that. Point being, there's nothing for me there. They don't want me, but you do and I want you."
Regina nodded. "I want you very much."
"Then, like you said, let's stop pretending. I want to see where we're going. So, yeah, fuck Storybrooke."
A small smile settled on Regina's face. "You said that already."
"Well, it needs to be said twice because fuck Storybrooke. They don't care about us." No one even asked after them when she spoke to Ruby. They were just tools to those people. It did not even hurt anymore.
Regina nodded. "Well, with that settled, maybe we should have a family meeting to figure out our next move. Do you think Henry will want to go back?"
Emma was not sure. "He seems about as home sick as we are. I mean, you saw how excited he was to start school, even though he denied our complete and total existence to his classmates."
Regina smiled. "Granted, we all did go overboard. He's in middle school, not kindergarten."
"Doesn't matter. Still, our kid going off to school in the city. It was a big deal. But, yeah we can talk about our next move and see what he wants to do. Do you have anything in mind?"
Regina shook her head. "No, this is new territory for me. What did you do when you decided it was time to move on from a place?"
Emma scoffed. "It wasn't high science. I pulled out a map, closed my eyes, and dropped my finger. Wherever it landed, I went. We can't do that. We have kids to consider."
Regina smiled. "You're serious about raising this baby?"
Emma moved closer, even though she was already practically sitting in Regina's lap. "I'm serious about the baby, about you, and our family. I'm all the way in."
Regina leaned into her, embracing her. "Thank you."
Emma chuckled and returned the embrace as she put Regina's legs over her lap, so they could be even closer. "No need to thank me. You've given me everything I could ever want. This is amazing. I love you and us."
Regina cuddled into her. "I love you, too, and I love our family."
Emma's insides melted. Those words were not easy for them. The words carried a lot of weight. They did not use them casually, ever. This was the real deal.
"So… I'm willing to risk a day's coma if you want that maniac high for a day," Emma said.
Regina laughed. "As much as I enjoy being with you, we won't be doing that."
"Come on. Your back's covered. I can actually make it through the night." She usually did not fall asleep until they were ready for bed now. The tattoos grabbed at her magic, but she could hold off until the end and then she could try to charge them. It felt like it was getting closer and closer to working, which was why she wanted to keep at it.
"Yes, but whenever we finish, you fall into a coma. That's not safe. We can research ways you could protect yourself, but let's focus on one thing at a time." Regina caressed Emma's cheek.
"Fine. Let's be all reasonable and responsible." Emma chuckled and held Regina close. "But, I still think just letting me charge the tattoos as best I can is a good plan."
Regina sighed. "It's like you don't know how to not be reckless and impulsive."
Emma shrugged. "It's got me this far in life."
-8-8-8-8-
Regina was not sure why, but she liked for them to have serious discussions with food in front of them. Maybe because food could provide comfort, was a good distraction, and also a good excuse to not say anything. She made a family favorite: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, and macaroni and cheese. Her family was at the table before she even finished setting up.
"Why are you touching my plate?" Neal asked as he tried to hand Henry a plate from the cabinet.
Henry looked at the plate in his hands, which already had chicken on it. "Oh, you didn't mean for me to have this?" He grinned, as if that would help him get to keep the plate that already had food on it.
Neal laughed. "You're unbelievable, kid. You're lucky I love you, but I also coughed all over those pieces of chicken."
"Neal." Regina could not believe him.
Henry grinned. "That's okay. I know the cure." He coughed loudly on the food on the plate.
"Henry!" Regina could not believe this. At some point in time, her child had been turned into an utter savage!
"Kid, cut it out. You know your mom will drop dead if she finds out you're just as much a barbarian as the rest of us," Emma said.
"Please, keep that a secret for as long as possible," Regina replied, pressing her hands together like a common beggar.
There were some chuckles. Regina finished setting up the table. She poured them all some iced tea as they fixed their own plates, which she usually did. There was always something comforting, soothing in doing that for her, but suddenly she found she did not need it. It was as if she had been wrapped up trying to prove she was useful to them, so they would not get rid of her, at least subconsciously. Emma wasn't alone in that. Right now, though, she felt like they all knew this was how they were complete and they could not, would not get rid of anyone here.
Emma made a plate for Regina, which was new and welcomed. It made Regina pause for a moment as warmth spread through her. Emma seemed to realize what happened as she grinned at Regina and then put the plate down, only to pull Regina's chair out for her. Regina could only smile and they all sat down around the table. For a moment, everything was picture perfect and quiet. Then, Emma did what she did best, pressed forward regardless of consequences.
"What do you guys think if we made this situation more permanent?" Emma asked, licking her thumb, as she held a chicken leg with both hands.
Henry blinked and looked at each adult at the table. "This isn't permanent? I thought this was it."
"Really?" Regina was surprised by that. "You don't want to go home?"
"This is home." Henry motioned around the room. "Us being together is home."
"Wow, kid. Wow," Emma said. She looked between Regina and Neal. "How is he so much more together than we are? It can't possibly be less trauma." Regina did not have an answer and Neal just shrugged.
"So, how are we going to make this even better?" Henry asked with a wiggle in his seat.
"Well, first off, I need you both to know I'm pregnant," Regina replied. Henry's and Neal's gazes went immediately to Emma.
Emma's eyes went wide. "Why are you looking at me? I'm awesome, but even I'm not that awesome." Emma took Regina's hand. "But, yes, she's carrying my kid, just like I carried hers. We're a cool family and it's time we put down roots."
"So, I wanna address being an uncle." Neal made finger-guns at them, which was never not awful, but he smiled and that made it better somehow. "But I also wanna know about this setting down roots thing. Is that what this is?" He motioned around the table with a drumstick in his hand. Regina was going to have to start punishing them all for things like that.
"We're a stone's throw away from our old lives and scrambling to contain my power rather than just living our lives. Yes, we do our field trips and have family meals, but we need more. We need a real home, not a library full of old magic books. We need to just be together, enjoy each other, without worrying about other messes, even if it's just in the back of our minds," Regina said.
"Shouldn't we be worried about your powers, though?" Henry asked.
Emma spoke up before Regina. "We've got it under control." That was her truth, but Regina opted to believe it as well. Emma had not really been wrong, just reckless.
Henry nodded. "Then, let's really put it all behind us."
"What do you mean?" Emma asked.
"Let's get out of our own backyard. Let's really let go," Henry said.
Emma smiled. "So, I'm just throwing this out there, but I've always wanted to go to California."
"Yes!" Henry banged the table, rattling the dishes.
Neal rubbed his chin. "The west coast. It could work." They all turned to Regina.
"I'm more than willing as long as we're all still together and happy," Regina replied. She did not know anything about the west coast, except it was far and that was good for them. How was it this easy? It was almost like they had all seen this coming, but never spoke it aloud. She knew when they left Storybrooke she would never be back, but she never in her wildest dreams thought they would all stick it out like this with her, try to rebuild with her like this.
Emma leaned close. "You okay?" she asked in a whisper.
Regina sniffled and had to wipe her eye before a tear escaped. "Fine. It's just I never imagined this. This was my dream as a child, but it always seemed like it would only ever be a dream."
"I think we all know how that is," Emma replied.
Neal nodded. "And we all know how precious it is to keep this together. This is special, to all of us."
"We all love you," Emma said and then she looked around the table. "And we all love each other."
Regina could hardly take in what that meant. Emma was willing to not just deal with Neal, but be family with him, for them all to be together. Regina forgot how to breathe until Emma leaned over and kissed her cheek. That helped jumpstart her brain and then she noticed the mischievous grin on Emma's face.
"I'll get my laptop for us to start looking at houses when were done eating. And, we are eating," Henry said, staring his mothers down.
Emma held up her hands in surrender. "Eating. Got it. You're lucky you're eleven and my son."
"Yeah, let's get back to eating because I don't want my mac and cheese to get cold and I don't want to see my sister making out," Neal said.
"It was a kiss on the cheek," Regina replied.
"It was a kiss, full stop," Henry said. "It was gross enough to find out you two were dating, but now I have to see it with my own two eyes."
Emma gave a dramatic gasp. "You said you loved the idea of your mothers dating!"
"Totally do. I want you guys to be happy, but not in front of my face. Dad feels the same way." Henry motioned to Neal.
"Again, she's my little sister! Does anybody want to see their little sister make out with someone, even if that little sister is an adult?" Neal asked. One of the best things to come out of Regina and Emma coming together was Neal left Emma alone finally. It was sad that he had to see her "taken" to stop, but at least now he and Emma could move forward.
"Look, she's my girlfriend and the mother of my now kids, so I'll make out with her whenever I damn well please," Emma replied. That should not have made Regina sit up a little straighter, but it did.
"We're eating!" Henry pointed to his plate and pretended to weep.
And, somehow, that was that. They ate, researched, and moved across the country a week later. Regina cried when they entered the house that would be their new home. How did things go so right?
-8-8-8-8-
Regina groaned as she sat on the sofa and rested her feet. Her back hurt, even with the pillow and heating pad Neal made sure she had any time she sat down. She needed Lucia to come, like now, but not really because she still had four weeks. She just wanted to see her feet again. Was that too much to ask?
"You need something?" Neal asked, popping his head out of the kitchen. Whenever she made a noise, he was right there, wanting to know what would make her feel better or more comfortable. He was so hyped and ready to be an uncle. It was endearing.
"Can you carry Lucia to delivery and also deliver her?" Regina asked. She did not look forward to labor considering how Lucia behaved during the pregnancy.
Neal snorted. "I'm just the uncle here. Want a sandwich? A sandwich always makes you feel better."
That was true. "No. I need to do some work before Emma and Henry get in. Have you seen my glasses?" She moved to pick up some files. The glasses had to be under her work, but she could not remember.
"You mean the pair on the top of your head or just any pair? Because there's a pair in the fridge, too." He pointed behind him with his thumb.
Regina frowned. "Damn. Make sure I put the juice back." Pregnancy brain was real and it had been kicking Regina's ass for months now.
"Your laptop is the cabinet," Neal said and stepped out of the kitchen with the laptop in his hands.
Regina's eyebrows knitted close together. "Why?" There was no reason for her to have it in the kitchen.
He shrugged. "Why would I know that?"
"Point taken."
"When are Emma and Henry supposed to be in? I'm hungry."
"Is that why you're scavenging in my empty kitchen?"
"Only partially. I was gonna make you a sandwich because I know they make you feel better, even when you say you don't want one, but there's seriously nothing here." He blew out a breath. He was very right. The cupboard was bare. He could not even make her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, liking to pretend he made them as perfect as she did. Emma was out shopping with Henry. Hopefully, they would be back before Neal turned the kitchen upside down.
Regina started some work. She needed to get payroll cleared up for one the businesses she just managed accounts for. She had just signed this business up and they really needed her work. They were a mess and she wanted to get them in some order before she had Lucia. She sighed. Just thinking of the name made her feel light. Lucia rolled and Regina groaned, putting a hand on her stomach.
"Yes, mija, I'm thinking of you." She rubbed her belly. "Now, be good, so Mommy can work."
"I can't believe you started your own business six months ago and it's doing this good already," Neal said, coming to sit down next to her. Sometimes, his presence alone calmed Lucia down. She was not sure how the baby knew he was there, but she tended to settle down when her uncle was nearby. Same with her brother and other mother.
"I'm good at what I do." She had always been good with numbers and keeping the books, as that would be expected of any noblewoman from the Enchanted Forest. It seemed to be a talent in this world.
He nodded. "That's way beyond accounting."
She smiled at him. "Thank you."
"Thank you. I've never been this happy before and that's thanks to you."
"I know the feeling."
He gave her a squeeze around the shoulders Regina got through quite a bit before police lights whooped in the driveway and then Emma burst in the door, arms full of grocery bags. She did not believe in making two trips.
"What have I told you about the police siren in the driveway?" Regina said.
Emma scoffed. "I didn't let him. That twerp lifted my keys off of me while I was managing the grocery bags. You need to check what your brother's teaching our collective kid."
"Neal!" Regina huffed.
Neal put his hands up in surrender. "I only taught him for emergencies."
Regina glared at him. "What emergencies require a pickpocket?"
Neal shrugged. "You never know."
Regina snorted. "You're about to be grounded and sent home without supper."
"No! I'm starving, Regina. Practicing soccer with Henry works up such an appetite." Neal patted his stomach with both hands. He had been in the backyard all morning with Henry doing soccer moves until Emma grabbed Henry for their supermarket run.
"Speaking of soccer…" Henry poked his head in the front door. He held up his soccer ball. "We still have some daylight. Let's practice."
Neal groaned, but he moved to the backyard. Henry had made his school soccer team, but he knew he was not good. Neal offered to help whip him into shape. Henry was serious about it, practicing and studying how the game was played. Soccer helped him make friends and he wanted to make sure he got to stay on the soccer team to hang out with them. They were good kids, so that was nice and it was good for Henry to get out, meet people, and socialize.
Emma went to put all of the groceries down in the kitchen and then went to Regina. She gave Regina a quick kiss. They smiled at each other.
"How's both my babies? "Emma asked, rubbing Regina's stomach. Lucia rolled as soon as her mama's hand was there.
Regina groaned. "You know she acts up when you do that."
Emma grinned. "It's like petting a cat. I'm glad she knows her mama's here." Emma kissed Regina again. "What do you want for dinner?"
"You know I want stir fry."
"It can't be healthy to eat stir fry every day."
"That's what your daughter wants. Do you want to make your daughter unhappy?"
Emma laughed. "I'll see what I can do."
Regina smiled. She would get some kind of stir fry. That had been the one food she wanted through her entire pregnancy. For several months, she made it herself, but as her pregnancy progressed and Lucia got more temperamental, Emma took over cooking to let Regina rest. Emma doted on her. Well, really, their family did. They tried to make her pregnancy as easy as possible. They had made such an amazing home for themselves in this small California town.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma could hardly wait for Henry to go to bed, so she could take Lucia from him. She paced outside his door. He always ended his night by reading a story he wrote to Lucia. Sometimes, she would take pictures or videos for Neal if he went home early. It was cute and she loved him bonding with his sister, but she wanted to bond with Lucia, too. Her baby girl.
"Here you go, Ma. I think she needs to be changed," Henry said as he stepped out of his bedroom and handed over the three-month-old.
"It's okay. My little light bug is getting a bath. You go to bed. Don't do any more writing and don't stay up texting your friends," Emma said.
"Night." He shut his door. He was going to stay up texting his friends. She and Regina did not mind much. He was a growing boy and needed sleep, but it was so awesome he had real friends. They invited him to places and he hung out, like a normal kid. He had a normal kid's life and that was all his parents wanted for him. It was great.
Emma went to clean Lucia. Lucia smiled at her the entire time, which made Emma's heart feel light. Lucia had the perfect name. She was their light. The final piece to their puzzle that connected them all in a unique way, like Henry.
Once the bath was done, Emma put Lucia in a onesie that gave her a little bunny tail. Neal, of all people, brought that. His job was close to a children's store and one day he just went in and brought almost all of the onesies. When they asked why he got so many, he replied with, "You don't know which ones she'll like!" He was really clueless, but he was into being an uncle. He had no problem with watching Lucia, changing her, and he took being thrown up on like a champ.
Emma entered the bedroom to find Regina on the phone, probably with Neal from the way she pinched the bridge of her nose. Regina loved her brother, but he tried her nerves as much as he tried Emma's at this point.
"Please, stop explaining. The explanation's only making it worse," Regina said.
"Always." Emma snickered as she settled in the bed with Lucia cuddled to her chest.
"Just bring everything over tomorrow. We can fix it," Regina said. "Okay. Good night. Love you." It was a little weird to hear Regina say she loved Neal, but it was kind of adorable, too. They were such siblings.
"What happened? His garage accidentally deleted all their invoices again?"
Regina sighed. "No, thankfully. It's his turn to host the soccer team gathering and he somehow managed to go way over budget because he wrote down an extra zero in his notes." Henry's soccer team had a team-building exercise where each week a different teammate's guardian hosted for a function of any kind. The team provided the funds, so no one was left out due to their financial situation, which was nice. It helped Henry get close to teammates quickly.
"Classic Neal." Emma snickered as she held Lucia close to her chest. Lucia cooed at her, so she cooed back.
"He's trying."
"I know, but still classic." Emma put her arm around Regina, who snuggled into her immediately while being careful of Lucia.
Regina caressed Lucia's head of thick hair, curling a lock around her finger. "She's not sleeping in the bed with us, Emma."
"You say that every night, yet somehow…" Emma shrugged and then kissed the side of Regina's head for the hell of it.
"She has to get used to her own bed."
"Eventually." They both liked Lucia sleeping between them, but Regina liked to pretend she was a "by the book" parent. "Hey, you wanna stay home for the game tomorrow? I like showing off my hot wife." She worked for the town's little police department. They moved in at the right time, as the department just had a couple of officers retire. They had accepted her resume right away just from her bounty hunting, but were also impressed she was the sheriff of a small town. The most trouble they ran into was some kid's bike being stolen and almost always it was the kid's friends pulling a prank. This was just the sort of community she wanted to raise her kids in.
Regina snorted. "Sorry, you and your fellow deputies get too loud for my tastes. Lucia and I are looking forward to our gardening club."
Emma snorted. "You only like it because of gardening and you get to speak Spanish." It was very nice to discover Regina spoke Spanish, as it was her native tongue in the Enchanted Forest, but known by another name. After finding out she liked human contact in New York, Regina found a couple of groups in their neighborhood that allowed her to socialize. So, she had a gardening club where they planned and complimented each other's backyard gardens. She also did a book club and hosted a finance thing for people in the neighborhood, showing them how to properly budget, how to invest, what to watch out for when they wanted to get loans, and stuff like that.
Regina chuckled. "Valid and good reasons. Don't forget my tattoo appointment in a few days."
Emma snorted. "Forget the thing that helps keep me conscious while getting laid? Never." While they had made love in the past couple of months, Regina's powers still affected Emma. It was not as bad as before.
Regina still got a little surge of energy, but Emma tended to wake up in the morning if Regina was forceful enough, which was good since she could not afford to miss days on her new job. There was no waking Emma after they made love, though. They had also not seen evidence of people being enchanted around Regina. All of her friends were there because they liked her. Still, Regina made a decision to start a full sleeve on her left arm of tattoos with hope it would be enough. If not, there was always the right arm.
The couple watched a movie together before falling asleep with Lucia in between them. The next day, Regina and Lucia had their gardening club. Henry hung out with Emma as she had three work friends over to watch the Golden State warriors. Neal worked that day, but came over after, as always did, and got Regina's help. He hogged Lucia the whole time, as he had a bad habit of doing. Then, they all sat down for a family dinner. Eventually, after the left arm of tattoos finally worked, Emma proposed to celebrate. Regina gave a very enthusiastic yes.
Emma never really understood the idea of a Happy Ending until now. This was it for them all. They lived happily ever after escaping Storybrooke.
-8-8-8-8-
The End (or you could go to chapter 13 of Devil's Spawn and continue on.)
