"Okay, baby girl, time for a bath," Regina sweetly coos as Lennox blinks back at her with those glossy green eyes that reveal just how sleepy she is this evening.

She dives right in to press a delicate kiss to her goddaughter's cheek before slowly peeling away the shirt stained in some red substance.

"Auntie Emma really can't keep you clean, huh?" She quietly murmurs, poking a chubby tummy in the process and winning herself those baby giggles she's absolutely in love with.

"Hey."

Regina jumps from the unannounced guest which only encourages those giggles to continue from the half-naked baby.

"Emma," she gasps, her eyes flicking to the doorway where the blonde is casually leaning against a wall for support with her arms folded across her chest. "I thought you would have gone out since you don't work this evening."

Emma doesn't say anything, instead she simply shrugs and pushes herself off the doorway. Regina and Lennox track her every move as she shuffles into the bathroom and settles down in front of the tub, folding her legs like a five-year-old. A little twitch occurs upon Regina's upper lip when she takes in those damn basketball shorts and plain white tank top and dear god, why is the woman wearing a baseball cap inside the house? She screams internally like a winner though, never revealing how much this woman irritates her soul.

Emma plucks a rubber duck from the bathtub and makes the toy dance across the ledge, encouraging Lennox to steal the duckie away all while Regina eyes her roommate suspiciously. Emma is always one to go out and indulge in her one-night stands whenever the opportunity presents itself, at least that's how it's been over the last few weeks and Regina wonders if this woman is about to ask her for something?

"I can bathe her myself," she insists.

"I know, Regina," Emma exasperates, rolling those big green eyes once again and Regina can't help but notice how similar they are to the one-year-old that stole her heart. "I'm just tired and didn't feel like entertaining anyone tonight. I kinda just want a chill night with this little one," she explains, gently brushing back those dark locks that are identical to Regina's, but Emma pushes that aside and reminds herself that Lennox inherited her color hair from her father.

"Well, that I can understand," she muses, flashing a quick smirk to her new co-parent.

Regina carefully slides Lennox's leggings down her chunky little thighs and immediately pauses. Her eyes roaming over those little legs, assessing the red little splotches slowly taking over the porcelain skin and forcing her heart to thump a little harder this evening.

"What?" Emma curiously asks when she notices the hesitation.

"Did you notice these little red marks earlier?" She investigates, quickly flipping Lennox around to inspect the back of her legs as well.

"I...no, those were definitely not there earlier when I changed her," Emma confidently says as she bends down to closely examine the rash that's slowly spreading.

Regina carefully skims the flesh to see if the area is bumpy or raised, but it seems to just be flat. She quickly removes Lennox's diaper and comes to find the rash all over her bottom as well and she really tries not to, but the control freak inside of her is panicking.

"We should take her in," she instantly declares, forcing Emma's eyes to flick up and meet her worrisome gaze.

"Maybe we should wait a little bit. I mean, she's not crying and she's been eating and drinking just fine."

"What if she's allergic to something?" She frantically suggests, her hands moving rapidly to lift the baby's arms and check every inch of her skin.

"Well, maybe she is, but she isn't like choking...and her throat isn't closing up on her, she's breathing normal," Emma defends, pressing her palm against Lennox's little chest. "And she's still playing," she adds on, nodding her head to where Lennox is banging the duck against the edge of the bathtub just to make it squeak.

Regina's eyes are full of fear when Emma glances back up, but luckily the blonde slaps on her brave face and maybe it does settle Regina's frantic heart the slightest bit.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Emma shrugs so carelessly and swiftly lifts Lennox to place her in the tub. "We will keep an eye on her. Maybe the bath will help," she rambles. "If she spikes a fever or starts crying a lot...more than usual," she teases, earning herself an eye roll from big brown irises, "then we will take her."

"I don't know-"

"Trust me," Emma urges and never has Regina seen this woman so confident, not even when she's shamelessly flirting with every gorgeous specimen that waltzes by. "If later tonight there are any signs of change, I promise we will take her."

"Okay," is all Regina murmurs because her eyes are still fixated on Lennox's blotchy skin while her fingers sweep that baby hair away from her forehead.

She's mentally yelling at herself to calm down, that things happen unexpectedly when raising a baby, but there's this little voice in the back of her mind, instructing her to call Kathryn because she will know what to do, but she can't. And she feels so sick to her stomach.

Yet, Emma proceeds with the bath, removing the shower head and gently wetting Lennox's hair which encourages Regina to pour a dollop of shampoo into her hands and continue as well. She gently lathers up what little hair the baby has before Emma starts rinsing all the suds out, easily working together like they did when they first had to bathe Lennox. It was only a few weeks ago, both were so nervous and extra careful and unsure, but now they both are pros, like they have been washing her since the day she was born.

Emma playfully maneuvers the shower head, dancing it through the air and gently splashing Lennox which generates those sweet giggles all over again and helps Regina relax. The little cutie tries to catch the spraying water, splashing happily in the tub while Regina and Emma both wear matching smiles that radiate love. And then, of course, Emma pivots the shower head, inevitably splashing Regina's face and blouse.

"Really, Emma? Get the child, not me," she strictly orders, but the woman ignores her and sprays her once again, soaking her thoroughly. "Seriously?" She growls. "You are such a child, more so than the one-year-old splashing around in her bubbles."

Emma chuckles, not at all effected by the insult. "Whoops, didn't mean to get you there," she teases, turning the water back onto Lennox, eliciting the most adorable little squeal of excitement. "Here, let me help you," Emma innocently says, reaching to wipe away some of the water clinging to Regina's face.

Regina is far too intelligent for that and swiftly reels back, dodging the unwanted touch, but before she can open her mouth and scold the idiotic woman, Emma is scooping up some bubbles and tossing them in her face.

"Emma!"

"Oh, it must have slipped, whoops," she sheepishly says and Regina is about to jump on this woman's back and dunk her head into the water, but Lennox is giggling hysterically and Regina melts.

"You think it's funny when Auntie Emma misbehaves?" Regina muses, a sly smirk gliding into place while the joyful song of laughter fills the bathroom.

However, far too quickly, Lennox's laughter fades away as she makes this distorted facial expression that provokes Regina to dive forward, snatching her out of the tub.

"Regina, what are you-"

"She's going to poop in the tub," she urgently claims, trying not to slip from the mess on the floor thanks to the childish blonde.

"She...what?"

"Her poop face."

"What's a poop face?!"

Regina growls under her breath, cautiously stepping across the bathroom, holding Lennox out at arm's length. "Her face she makes when she is pooping. Now, please hurry and open that toilet," she orders, slightly hysterical, encouraging Emma to slide across the slick floors upon her knees.

Emma dives forward, lunging at the toilet seat with her shaky fingers, but the damn thing is locked by the stupid childproof lock that Kathryn insisted on while Lennox was still safely nestled in her womb.

"Dammit," she grumbles, wrestling with the lid.

"Hurry up, Emma!"

"I am clearly trying, I can't...it's stuck...ugh, fuck this thing!"

"Watch your language," Regina scolds, persuading those green eyes to turn and glare at her because they both know she is constantly cursing under her breath. "Here, take her. I'll do it," she demands, thrusting Lennox into Emma's arms. Regina settles down on her knees, her fingers trembling as she reaches for the lever.

"Regina, hurry, I think..." She glances up to find Lennox grimacing once again and focused, she's really, really focusing and Regina just panics. She falls forward, stealing away Emma's baseball cap and shoving it under the baby's bottom. "Regina! No, no, no! That's my favorite hat!"

"It's a shit hat, you have plenty more," she quips, and when she lifts her gaze to meet Emma's, the blonde is struggling to keep her smile at bay. "No pun intended," she adds which only inspires them both to laugh.

And it's not just a small tentative chuckle that they usually share with each other. No, it's a full-blown belly laugh that steals their breath away until their cheeks and stomachs are burning from the delight. Slowly, Regina removes the hat from Lennox's bottom and she can't even bring herself to check inside.

"I'm just going to throw this out," she acknowledges through her fit of laughter while Lennox pouts at her like she's fully embarrassed.

"I can't believe you did that," Emma giggles, trying to hold Lennox off her lap.

"It was an emergency," she declares, tossing the entire hat into the waste bin. "Give her here, I'll wipe her."

"It's the least you can do after destroying my hat," Emma states, but there is nothing but teasing in her tone as she passes the baby over.

"I bet you regret staying home now. You could have been enjoying a night out on the town instead of being pooped on."

Emma's eyes slide in her direction, still glistening with mirth, but her face sobers up and Regina finds herself holding her breath from how intense that gaze is. "Nah, I'm good here," is all she says before her cheeks flare up and she tries to hide them by retrieving a towel for Lennox.

But it's too late, Regina sees the blush and her heart is slowly unraveling the rope of hate that is coiled so tightly around the organ for the childish woman.

XXXX

Emma had an impromptu work meeting the next morning, so Regina had to call off work because Lennox's rash, only seemed to grow angry over night. She wasn't crying or complaining at all, but her body was covered in red little splotches that looked like bumps, but weren't raised. Regina was a tightly wound ball of nerves, so Emma called and made the appointment while Regina rushed around to gather everything Lennox may need.

Now, she's bouncing between her feet, clinging to Lennox as she holds her phone to her ear and tries to deal with a work crisis while waiting for the pediatrician.

"I know, I know the event is in one week, but what am I supposed to do? Lennox is sick. I-just listen to me," she firmly cuts off her manager. "Fiona will be there this afternoon and I want you to pull out all the best desserts. Don't get hysterical, Tiana, you can do this. I called in everyone to come in today. You have all my recipes, you should have no problem recreating them and I know you are a people person. You can-" there's a gentle knock at the door, forcing her to stop talking and peek over her shoulder. "I gotta go," she mumbles, hastily ending her call.

And here comes fate again, shoving that stupidly gorgeous woman, that constantly visits Regina's bakery, right through the door. Her breath catches in her throat, because she's been so busy with Lennox and her life crumbling around her that she forgot how stunning this woman is. She hasn't seen the brunette as of lately, usually Regina is running a little late thanks to a certain one-year-old and this woman has completely slipped her mind.

"Hi, I'm-"

"Blueberry muffin, coffee black," she gasps as the woman closes the door and breathes out a shy little laugh.

"Um, yes, but I prefer Ivy...Dr. Ryan," she acknowledges, tapping her finger against her white coat with her name tag proudly on display. "I heard about the accident and I'm really sorry, I had no idea that you..."

"Kathryn was my best friend, I'm Lennox's godmother," she explains, sticking her hand out to shake the doctor's hand and then it clicks the moment they come in contact with one another. "Oh, the hot pediatrician," she murmurs under her breath, all too clearly remembering how Kathryn was trying to set her up with Lennox's pediatrician at the birthday party.

"I'm sorry," Ivy sputters, her cheeks instantly burning crimson.

"Oh-um...nothing. Lennox," she rushes out, lifting the baby up and showing her off like a prize to be won. "The rash."

"Of course, just sit her down on the table," Dr. Ryan sweetly instructs while Regina inhales sharply to prepare herself for what's to come.

"I don't know what happened. I don't believe she's allergic to anything, I think Kathryn would have mentioned in the last year," she rambles while Ivy slips her index finger between Lennox's fist and listens to her breathing. "And my first instinct was to pick up the phone and call Kathryn, but I can't. Because she's not there," Regina rushes out as the emotions she's been bottling up inside come pouring out. She doesn't even notice the way Ivy stops what she's doing, holds Lennox firmly on the table and just listens to Regina's wobbly voice. "She's not there," she repeats, her eyes glossing over and blurring her vision. "She was the first person I know to have a baby and I would normally run to her with all my problems and I can't. I can't just pick up the phone and call my best friend and it's killing me," she chokes out, pleading with herself not to cry. "It's killing me and I can't even say anything because Emma is so damn calm and collective and I don't want to be the crazy one, but I don't know what I'm doing here."

"You're not crazy for feeling that way, I think you're doing great with all things considered," Dr. Ryan softly whispers when she senses that Regina's meltdown has come to an end. "You're allowed to feel. You're allowed to grieve," she honestly says, but Regina can't stand the pity filling this woman's big brown eyes, so she's quick to change the subject.

"Do you know what the rash could be from?"

"Well, when Lennox was just six months old and Kathryn was introducing her to jar food, her little cheeks would turn red and she would get these little splotches whenever she would eat pears. So, I suggested that we cut out pears until she was older and then we could try introducing them again."

"Pears."

"Do you know if she had any pears yesterday?"

"No, not that I know of. Emma gave her Cheerios for breakfast and peanut butter and jelly for lunch, because it's the only thing we can get her to eat," she chuckles lightly, placing her index finger below Lennox's chin to hold her gaze. "I will eventually get you to eat my cooking, baby girl. I'm a professional and you have made this personal."

Lennox just blinks up at her, all doe-eyed and softly sucking on her pacifier while Ivy laughs. "Aww come on, kiddo, she's an excellent cook. You should try her apple crumble muffins," the doctor openly flirts, batting her long lashes at Regina and forcing the baker to hold her breath yet again.

"Thank you," she shyly murmurs, nervously tucking some hair behind her ear, but she is quick to turn the attention back to Lennox. "So, pears?"

"Yes, double check with whoever was watching her yesterday, maybe she had something that had pears in the ingredients. Maybe a yogurt or-"

"Those damn "fruities" Emma always insists on."

"I beg your pardon?"

"They are these Gerber pouches made up of fruit. Her other godparent calls them, "fruities" and she is always handing them over and swearing they are healthy."

Dr. Ryan laughs lightly. "Those are just fine to give her. If you can manage some yogurt ones as well, that would be great for Lennox's dairy intake. Just check the label, maybe one of them had pears inside."

"So, I didn't do this?"

"No, not at all," the doctor chuckles softly. "She's going to be just fine and the rash will clear up in the next forty-eight hours. Let's just lay off the pears until she's a little older and we can test her," Ivy instructs, but then she's reaching into her coat pocket and pulling out a prescription pad.

"I-I thought you said this will go away on its own," she nervously inquires, eyeing that pad skeptically as the doctor scribbles something down.

"Oh it will," and then Ivy extends her hand with the warmest smile set into place. "This is for you."

"Me?"

"Grieving your best friend is difficult, but doing that while trying to raise her baby and live this new life that you were thrown into, that's almost impossible. You're allowed to take a break, a minute to yourself to properly heal," Dr. Ryan tenderly expresses before she flashes the most adorable grin and hands over the prescription. "So, my recommendation is..."

Regina glances down at the piece of paper and chuckles. "Cabernet, one to two glasses as needed."

"If you prefer white wine, same dosage," Dr. Ryan professionally states, generating the sappiest grin to spread across Regina's face.

"I prefer the red."

XXXX

She had stared at the bottle of wine like it was a death threat for an entire twenty minutes after Emma left with Lennox to buy some fruities that did not contain any pears. Eventually, she caved and the wine won.

"You know what I figured out?" Emma delightfully announces as she waltzes through the front door with Lennox on her hip and a plastic bag ready to bust open, filled with those pouches. Regina hums into her glass of wine, not truly comprehending the woman's presence. "If I give men a little side eye in the grocery store, strike up a casual conversation about how I'm a bisexual, living with a lesbian to raise this baby that isn't ours, men drool. Actually drool. Do you know how many men want to come by in hopes that maybe a threesome will occur like we live in some porno?"

"I wouldn't put it passed you to star in a porno, you know? Emma, shhh, don't say that word in front of Lennox," she hisses, glass swaying recklessly in her hand and before she can even blink, Emma is standing in front her without the baby.

Where the hell is the baby?

"How's that wine treating you?" Emma sardonically quips, nodding toward the bottle that has been polished off, but Regina is too gone to notice the worry on the blonde's face.

So, she sticks her thumb up and nods happily while downing the rest of her glass. "Did you want some?" Emma is already shaking her head. "I'm good at sharing."

"I-"

"Yeah, you're right. You don't need any because you don't worry. You don't stress over anything. You're all, everything is fine when it comes to Lennox. Not a care in the world. Everything will be fine. It's cool. It's all good," she slurs, swaying a little too dangerously upon her chair while Emma squints at her suspiciously. "You know, that's what Kathryn said, that you are so carefree and fun and she was all, Regina, you haven't been laid in god knows how long and you need fun in your life, you're working too hard for your business. And then you show up," she proceeds, gesturing wildly at the blonde who is trying to catch the glass before it slips out from Regina's grasp. "You. Your charming self. This ridiculously hot blonde on my doorstep, showing off those stupidly perfect arms that Michelangelo himself probably sculpted, but torn jeans," she unexpectedly blurts out, ignorant to the fact that Emma's face is burning through every shade of red known to mankind.

"I told you my bike died on me, I was trying to fix it and ripped my jeans in the process," Emma defends, but Regina proceeds to ramble incoherently from the wine sloshing around in her head, oblivious to the small smile tugging around Emma's mouth as she smiles fondly at her.

"Yup, hadn't had a date in who knows how long and this charming woman shows up and doesn't even want to take me to dinner," she pauses to refill her glass, but the bottle is empty, inspiring her to shake it like the liquid will magically appear. "What an asshole move. No, if you were a guy, you'd be a dick. If you were a guy, I wouldn't have agreed to the date to begin with," she murmurs, missing how Emma's face has completely fallen from being called an asshole, a dick.

Because if there is one thing Emma prides herself on, is being respectful on dates. Obviously, she enjoys her flings and she never gets too attached, but she never shows her aloofness on dates. She's always so respectful, generous, polite when she's out with someone, man or woman.

She swallows thickly, guilt churning her stomach just thinking about how Regina perceives her. That night was doomed from the beginning and she really tried to not allow her sour mood to ruin their date, but everything was going wrong and Emma was really trying not to allow the many bad things that happened to her that night show. But obviously, Regina sensed her agitation, except she misread how Emma was truly feeling that night. If Regina really thinks this way about that one horrible date, it's no wonder the woman is constantly so damn cruel to her.

Emma bends down, carefully removing the bottle from Regina's hand and sets it far away from the sloppy brunette. "Regina, I wanted to take you to dinner-"

"Asshole," she cuts her off, bopping her on the nose like she playfully does with their goddaughter.

"I am not an asshole," Emma bristles, her voice growing louder, but Regina is lazily smiling at her. "You're the one that took one look at me and knew I wasn't up to your standards. I knew right away that you thought I wasn't good enough."

"You know," Regina smirks, so salaciously, and unaware of the tension swarming around them. She drapes her arms over Emma's strong shoulders and leans in dangerously close. "I almost forgave you for being an hour late-"

"Work went into overtime-"

"But then you had to go and make a date when we hadn't even started ours. Dick move."

"Alright," Emma abruptly stands, knowing there is no point in arguing with someone intoxicated. She curls her fingers around Regina's elbow and yanks her to her feet. "It's time for bed."

"Asshole, dick," she proceeds to chuckle. "It's so nice to finally say it to your face. Your smug, adorable face."

"Wonderful, a belligerent drunk. The next eighteen years are gonna be a blast," she sarcastically quips as she guides Regina toward the staircase.

"I'm fun when I'm drunk. Kathryn always used to say, drunk Regina is my favorite Regina. Besides, this was doctor's orders. Remember I had to take Lennox because you almost poisoned her with pears."

"Please stop, I feel bad enough," Emma sighs, catching Regina as she trips over the first step and almost smacks her face on the banister.

"It's fine. Lennox adores you. Always the fun aunt, while I'm stuck being the strict aunt, but somebody has got to make sure she eats her vegetables, Emma."

"I know," is all she sadly says because she is rudely interrupted by the doorbell ringing.

"Who is that?" Regina hisses, spinning around on her bare feet and falling against Emma's chest.

"I don't know."

"Neighbors, probably another one to gawk at the hot bisexual. You're gonna cause at least two divorces on this block, Miss Swan."

"No, I'm not. I don't cheat and I don't break up marriages," Emma firmly states, straightening Regina back up, so she can rush to answer the door. "Stay there."

"The husbands and the wives are going to be fighting over you," she snorts, actually snorts and Emma knows she's one drink away from spending the night in the toilet.

"Stop," Emma grumbles as her fingers curl around the doorknob. "Go upstairs, cool off," she orders, when really she is the one that needs to cool off because her body is on fire from all Regina's backhanded compliments.

What is wrong with her? Why does she find those rude compliments about herself such a turn on from this feisty woman?

"Yeah?" She barks out as she flings the door open.

"Emma Swan?"

"Yes?" She suspiciously says, her eyes roaming over the tall redhead with crystal blue eyes lingering on the doorstep. Her mind can't seem to place her. She doesn't think she's hooked up with the woman before. Her eyes do another scan up the woman's body, noticing just how tightly wound she is, more Regina's type than her own.

"Who is at the door?" Regina questions, wobbling down the stairs.

"I'm Zelena Kelly, I'm your case worker."

"Case worker?" Emma repeats, glancing over her shoulder at Regina who is leaning heavily into her side to sneak a peek at the stranger.

"Yes, I'm sure you are aware of the unannounced visits to check up on the home and Lennox since she was placed in your custody."

"Right, right. This...is...unannounced," Emma mumbles awkwardly while the woman just smirks back at her.

"Are you going to let me in?"