Read~Enjoy~Review
I cannot get over the reviews/comments I'm getting on this story. Thank you so much for all your support! I must admit, my muse is hot for this one right now. My others will be updated, but I'm letting my muse take over. That being said, this one kind of ends in a weird spot, but I didn't know where to end it. However, chapter three will be up shortly, so it's all good.
Chapter 2
Emma was still for a moment and then started laughing. "Okay, okay, you got me. Now, who is this really?"
Zelena rolled her eyes and put the crying child in Emma's arms. "It's Regina. My guess is she's about two." She cocked her head. "And she must like you."
The little one had stopped crying the moment she was in Emma's arms and Emma looked at her. She had brown hair, though a bit lighter than adult Regina, but those eyes – they were unmistakably Regina's eyes. She was in just a onesie and her hair was a curly mess. "What happened to you?" She whispered. Regina looked at Emma and her lip started wobbling. "No, shhh, honey, don't cry." She cooed, rubbing her back and bouncing a bit as she held her. Regina rest her head on Emma's chest, worn out from her crying. Emma looked at Zelena. "Does she have the mind of a two year old?"
"Seems like it. All I could get out of her was 'Gina' and two fingers when I asked how old she was. I don't know much about her childhood, but I think I remember being told she didn't talk much until she was about three."
"Okay, I…I need to process this. Tell me what happened."
Snow sighed and they all went into the living room. "I came over to check on Regina. I know she'd been feeling a bit low with your w…waiving off Henry and everything." She said, correcting herself. "I just wanted to see how she was. She didn't answer the door, but I could hear crying inside. I called Zelena and we came in to see her like this, but with Regina's clothes pooled around her. I happened to have one of Neal's onesies with me, and extra diapers, so I put her in that, but she didn't stop crying until now."
"She's worn out." Emma said, gazing down at the sleeping toddler in her arms. "Did someone do this to her?"
"I think she did it to her." Zelena said, holding up a vial. "I found this on the table. I'm going to see if there's enough left to figure out what she took, and how long we have her like this."
Emma sighed and sat back. "So, what do we do with her?" She saw the two women exchange looks and then shook her head. "No. No I can't take care of her. I don't…I only have fake memories of raising Henry, my house is not childproof, and Killian would kill me."
"Honey, I have Neal and Zelena has Robin and…she likes you. Look, we can stop and grab a pack and play, some clothes, I'll help you get everything you'll need."
"And you do have magic, Savior, so you can use that for baby proofing. As far as Killian goes, hasn't he been bugging you for a baby? Tell him it's good practice."
"Are you kidding me? Regina will kill me when she's herself and finds out I let him take care of her."
"You have a point, but please, Emma, we don't have much of a choice." Snow said.
Emma sighed, looking at baby Regina in her arms as the little one sucked her tongue. "Okay fine. I'll take her."
Snow smiled softly as she walked with Emma, filling the basket with baby foods and toddler foods. "I don't know if she has formula or what, but at her age and size, she should be eating some foods. Now, she wouldn't have had pasteurized milk yet, so I would suggest half formula, half milk in her cup until she's used to it. That is, if she can drink from a cup. Maybe we should get a bottle just in case."
Emma looked at the sippy 'cup' and shrugged. "I mean, this isn't much different from a bottle. It has a rubber end that she sucks on; I think she'll be okay." She tossed it in the basket. "How do I know what size diapers she wears?"
"Well the one she's got on is Neal's and it's a 4 and a bit big on her, but he's a bit older than her now, so I'd go with the 3's. She really is a petite little thing."
"Well, she's a petite little thing as an adult to, she just has a huge personality."
"That's true." Snow stopped and tilted her head. "You look good with her, Emma."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Well if I put her down, she cries." She said recalling how Regina had cried the whole drive over but stopped and went back to sleep when Emma picked her back up. "Killian is going to really hate this."
"Honey, she's a baby in a new world. She's confused and scared and can't talk, so her only way of expressing herself is through crying. If he has a problem with it, that tells you something, Emma."
"Honestly, I hope he does. Then maybe he'll stop bugging me about having a kid."
"You don't want more kids?"
"No…I don't think so. I mean, how do I tell Henry I'm having a kid after giving him away?" Snow was quiet for a moment and Emma sighed. "Mom, I didn't mean…"
"It's okay, Emma. Just know that we love you so much and Neal could never replace you."
"I know, mom." Emma said, grabbing some diapers and wipes. "Do I need powder or cream or anything?"
"It doesn't hurt to have some cream just in case, but if you're good about changing her, she won't need it. Oh, grab some baby lotion for after you bathe her."
"Regina's going to hate to know I changed and bathed her." She distractedly ran her fingers through Regina's hair. "If we can get her back."
"I'm sure Zelena will figure it out." Snow stated, grabbing a pack of pacifiers.
Emma took them and put them back. "She's too old for those."
Snow shrugged. "Okay. We have food, diapers, bath stuff, we need clothes and bedding."
They went over to the clothes and Emma smiled. "They have such cute stuff." She said, looking through outfits. "I could spend so much money here."
Snow smiled. "Same, but being we don't know how long she'll be like this, don't get too much."
"Right." Emma did, however, fill her basket full of outfits, dresses, pajamas, onesies, socks, shoes, and the cutest jacket. She then got some hair things and added those to the basket. "I'm going to need to borrow dad's truck to get everything home." She joked.
"Dad is actually meeting us here with an extra diaper bag and the pack and play."
"I was thinking about that and shouldn't I get like a bassinet or something? Isn't that better for her little back?"
"She's too old for a bassinet, sweetie, those are for newborns." Snow said as they headed over to the bedding. "But, you can get a special pad for the pack and play."
An hour later, the two women came out with their arms full and David smiled as he waved. They loaded the truck and Emma looked at her mom. They had used Neal's extra car seat, but Emma insisted on getting one of her own. "Do you want to hold her or put the car seat in my car?"
"I'll do the seat." Snow said, getting it out and putting it in the car.
"How's it going?" David asked as Emma opened the passenger side door, laying Regina on the seat.
"She hates to be put down. Do you mind if I put an actual outfit on her in here? I changed her diaper in the bathroom, but people kept staring at me and I've never dressed a baby before."
"It's fine, Emma. Just pick an easy one for now."
Emma grabbed a long-sleeved purple shirt with pink pants that had ruffles on the butt. She then slipped some socks on the little one and smiled. "She's pretty adorable."
"She is a cutie." David said, smiling at his daughter. "You're good with her."
"Don't get ideas. I'm not having one of these." She said, lifting the girl into her arms.
Regina's eyes opened and she blinked, looking at the blonde. "Mama?"
Emma looked at her. "Oh sweetie, Mama isn't here right now."
Regina's brows knitted and she reached up and touched Emma's face. "Mama."
"She's calling you Mama, Emma."
Emma froze and then swallowed. "What do I do?" David shrugged and Emma looked at Regina. "Can you say Emma?"
Regina shook her head. "Mama!" She said, crossing her little arms. Okay, so the two year old already had sass. Guess that shouldn't be surprising since it was Regina.
David chuckled and Emma kissed her forehead. "Okay, Gina, I'm Mama."
"Gina?' David asked.
"She's too small for such a big name like Regina. Gina is cute."
"Okay, you're all set. Dad and I will follow you."
"Right. Don't want to hear screaming the whole time?"
"Not especially." Snow said with a chuckle.
Emma took a breath and then took Regina to her car. "Okay, baby, I have to put you in your seat. Please don't cry." She strapped Regina in and smiled as the little one just looked around.
Once at home, Emma fixed Regina's cup with formula and milk and then warmed up some baby mac and cheese. Little Gina loved the food and ate all of it before drinking her milk. Emma then gave her some fruit and the little one ate that as well. "Okay Emma, the room is all set up." Snow said, coming in and kissing Regina's cheek.
"Thanks guys." Emma stated. "I still need to tell Henry and Killian what's going on."
"I'll tell Henry." David stated.
"Thank you. He can call me if he wants to." She then looked at Snow. "Are you okay with being Mayor again while we work this out?"
"Yes. But as soon as she's back, I'm done."
Emma chuckled. "Sounds good. Well, wish me luck." Emma said, wiping Regina's face.
"You'll be fine. Call if you need anything."
Emma got Regina settled in the living room with some toys as she tried calling Killian again. She sighed when she got his voicemail. "Killian, I need to talk to you. Something happened and I want to explain it but I guess I'll just do that here. Regina…well she's a toddler now. She took some kind of potion and is about two years old. I am caring for her until Zelena can figure this all out. I don't want you to be surprised if you came here tonight instead of staying on your ship." She hung up and decided it was time to get the little one to bed.
"Mama!" Regina squealed as she splashed Emma from the tub. The girl was giggling and having a blast and Emma couldn't stop smiling at her. She also took some pictures before washing Gina's hair and finally getting her out.
"You ready for bed, sweet pea?" Regina cuddled into Emma and yawned. Emma took her into the room across from her own and changed her diapers, lotioned her up, and put her pajamas on. "Let's read a story." She said, sitting in the rocking chair with a book. She read the "Don't Tickle the Hippo" book and smiled when she saw Regina was asleep. She kissed her head and laid her in the pack and play, covering her up before turning on the monitor and softly closing the door.
Emma went downstairs and settled on the sofa with the tv on just as the door opened. "I'm home, Swan!" Killian drunkenly announced.
"Shhhh!" Emma exclaimed, standing up and putting her hand over his mouth. "You'll wake her up!"
"Wake who up?"
"Did you listen to your voicemail I left you?"
"No. I was too busy drinking." Emma sighed and explained everything to him. He shook his head. "Are you kidding me? We finally get rid of one kid and now we have a baby? HER as a baby? Why didn't you just leave her?"
Emma looked at him, disgusted. "Yeah, just leave a fucking baby alone. What kind of person are you? You say you want your own baby, yet you talk about abandoning another."
"Swan, I want a child of our own, not one connected with her. Also, not everything is abandoning. You sure do know how to throw out that victim card, don't you?"
"What?!"
"Nothing. I'm going to my ship."
"Good! Don't fucking come back until you've apologized." Emma said, hot tears in her eyes. When Killian left, she locked the door and leaned against it, taking deep breaths. "At least that didn't wake…shit." Screaming started and Emma knew she was in for a rough night.
The next morning, Emma sighed as Regina started fussing again at six am. They had been up about three times through out the night and though Emma understood babies did that – she still had some fake memories Regina had given her about Henry – she thought by this age, they were done with that. "She's in a new world and can't express herself." Emma reminded herself as she got up and quickly used the bathroom. All frustration was erased, however, the moment she opened the door and Regina stopped crying and looked at Emma with her big brown eyes. "Mama Emma." She said, holding her arms out.
Emma smiled softly and picked the girl up, holding her close. "Mama Emma is here, baby girl." She said softly before laying her on the changing table and changing her diapers. "Is Gina hungry?" She asked, tickling her tummy.
Regina giggled and placed her hand softly on Emma's. "Hungy Gina."
Thank goodness Regina had kept Henry's old things because that was how she got not only the changing table but also the high chair Regina was currently in, attempting to feed herself mashed bananas and scrambled eggs. Emma called her dad and smiled as she ripped up a piece of toast to also give the girl. "Hey dad. Yeah, it was a rough night in more ways than one, but we can talk about that later. I just realized I have no where for Regina to go while I go to work."
"Oh, that's fine Emma. I actually thought of that yesterday and don't worry about it. Mulan and Dorothy just finished their training and are excited to work extra hours, so between them, Thomas, and myself, we're covered for as long as it takes. Don't get me wrong; we want you back, but right now, we're okay. When I dropped Neal off with Ashley today, she did tell me that she'd call you, but to tell you that she's more than willing to watch Regina anytime you need a break."
Emma felt a bit of relief in all this. "Thanks dad. Honestly, I'm kind of looking forward to a bit of a break. Other than when I've been launched into other realms, I've never really taken time off since I got here. As far as what Ashley said, I appreciate that too as I honestly wouldn't trust a lot of people with Gina, but I trust her."
"Now, what happened last night?"
Emma sighed and made sure Regina was okay before moving to the counter and pouring some coffee. "Killian was…ugh dad, I get he's frustrated and I get this is a shock, but he was completely out of line. He was drunk, first off, and then he was pissed at me for bringing Regina home. He said I should have just left her and when I said you don't abandon a baby, he said I was playing a victim card. He says he wants a baby with me, and I get there's a difference between our own baby and someone else's…or even baby Regina, but if he's going to be like this with her, why the hell would I risk having a baby with him? I was already abandoned by the father of my first child when I was pregnant, and I do not want that to happen again."
David sighed, he honestly hated the idea of his daughter marrying Killian, but he and Snow had agreed that if she was happy, they'd support her. The thing was, he knew she wouldn't continue to be happy and he wanted to do everything to protect her. Maybe this was his chance. "You're right, Emma. Why would you trust him after that? Not to mention those little comments he makes about Henry from time to time."
"I know, but if I dare say anything about that, it means I have no sense of humor."
"I understand someone being surprised to come home and find a baby suddenly, I even get him being a little…well maybe a little frustrated that it's Regina, but if he is going to start accusing you of playing a victim and not even trying to understand the situation, that's not okay either. I mean, he expected you to just understand when he got those shears of fate and when he realized he killed my father, but he can't try to understand this?"
Emma sighed knowing exactly what Killian would say if she brought that up. "Apparently after I made him co-Dark One, I have no right to bring up anything he's ever done."
David heard the hurt in Emma's voice and, while he was surprised his daughter was actually sharing this information with him, he was getting more and more upset at Killian as she did so. "I think you need to have some self-reflection time, Emma. I know exactly what I want to tell you to do, but it's not my right to do so."
"You're my dad, dad. Tell me what you want me to do, just…just so I know that I wouldn't disappoint you in what I think I want to do."
David sighed, wondering if he was making the right decision. "First, I'd want you to follow your heart, Emma, and do what you think is best. However, if everything you are saying is true, and he doesn't even try to come around and see his mistakes, I personally would want you to leave him. It's not just this situation, honey, but it's the catalyst. Also, I would never ever be disappointed in you or your choices. It's you who has to live your life, Emma."
Emma didn't know why, but her dad's words brought tears to her eyes and in a way, relief. "Thanks, dad. I'm not going to do anything rash right now as I do think I need to give sober Killian a chance, but it's nice to know I won't be disappointing you if things go in the wrong direction."
"I'm sorry you ever thought that was a possibility." David said, meaning every word.
"It's not your fault dad." Emma said, watching baby Regina giggle and play with the rest of her food. "I know I'm not a kid anymore and haven't been for a long time, but some things are still just engrained in me no matter how much I try to remember that you and mom are different. I should get going though. Gina needs a good wipe down and to get dressed and I think I'll try to call Killian. I love you, Dad."
"I love you too, baby girl. Enjoy some time off."
Emma hung up and then smiled at the little girl in the chair. "You ready to get cleaned up, baby girl?"
Little Gina smiled and held her arms up. "All done, Mama Emma." She sat perfectly as Emma got her cleaned up and even cooperated as Emma got her dressed. She brought her downstairs and set up the baby gates so that she was in the living room and out of danger. She put some toys out and also put Netflix on to some baby show before taking a breath and calling Killian.
