A/N: I do believe I previously promised a baby shower with some fluff and drama at the end of May, so without further ado...

Sunday, May 27, 10am.

Regina frowns as she looks at the floral dress she has laid out across the bed. "What was I thinking?" she asks herself out loud. "I don't do florals."

"That's what I tried to tell you," Emma comments as she threads a curved silver earring through her ear, moving to stand behind her wife and peers over her shoulder. "But, you insisted."

"I know," Regina sighs.

Emma studies the dress in front of them. "It's not like it's hideous. It's cute."

"I don't do cute."

"I know. Which is why I told you not to buy it," Emma rolls her eyes. "But you wanted something Cora would approve of."

"It's an English garden-themed baby shower. She'll expect florals."

"Well, she needs to manage her expectations, because she seems to expect a lot of things that she'll never get," Emma says.

"Like a straight daughter?" Regina raises a brow.

"Well yeah, for one…though that worked out well for me," Emma smirks, kissing the brunette's cheek. "But today is about Zelena and Walsh anyway, and Cora did promise to be on her best behavior, so maybe she'll let this slide."

"Unlikely, but maybe," Regina mumbles.

"Do you have anything else you can wear?"

Regina shakes her head. "Not really. I only brought this, my dress for tomorrow, and then something to wear to the beach tomorrow night, or as soon as we can escape the hell that is my mother's annual shindig."

"Wear your dress for tomorrow then," Emma suggests as she turns toward the mirror to start pinning her hair back.

"And then what will I wear tomorrow?"

"It's Memorial Day. You don't need to wear a business casual dress to your mother's barbeque. You can wear denim shorts and a tank top like the rest of us."

"You clearly don't know my mother," Regina says, but she goes over to the closet and pulls out the blue and white seersucker sheath dress she had hung up for the next day's events. It isn't really her style either, it's far too preppy, but the one-shoulder cut of the dress feels slightly better to her than the ruffled floral midi dress currently strewn across the bed. Regina drops the towel she's had wrapped around her body after she got out of the shower 15 minutes earlier and quickly throws on the tight blue and white number. "Can you zip me?"

"Of course," Emma says as she walks over, a bobby pin dangling from between her teeth. She quickly zips the back of the dress, taking the bobby pin from her lips so she can place a soft kiss on the back of Regina's neck. "Done."

"Thank you," she smiles over her shoulder. "You think this is okay?"

"Absolutely," Emma says, her eyes gazing appreciatively over Regina's body as the brunette steps into her nude wedges. "You look beautiful…and hot."

Regina rolls her eyes but blushes nonetheless. "Are you almost ready?"

"Yes," the blonde replies, pinning back the last piece of hair. She slides her feet into her flats and adjusts her own dress — a white and green ombré halter dress that flares out just a bit at the knee — and grabs her purse. She extends her free hand toward Regina, her wife gratefully accepting it as they leave their room. "You'll be fine," Emma whispers lovingly into Regina's ear. "You'll see."

*.*.*

Regina's not fine….not really. It's the first time she's seen her mother since Christmas five months earlier. It would also be the first time she has talked to her mother since Christmas, if Cora had even attempted to say more than two words to her youngest daughter. But no, the matriarch instead has spent the first half hour of the shower sending her disapproving looks from across the garden. Aside from a brief hello, Regina upon the couple's arrival, after which she had immediately turned around to greet other guests before Regina could even reply with her own "hello," Cora has been completely silent in Regina's presence. Regina has been prepared for such a reaction, but it still sends a pang of hurt through her chest.

"Here," Emma says, handing Regina a glass of sangria. "This will help."

"Thank God," she replies. "I'm so glad they still serve alcohol at baby showers, even though Zelena can't drink."

"It's the only way anyone would ever suffer through these ridiculous events — free liquor," Emma says, taking a sip of her own pink beverage. "Still nothing?" she asks.

"Nada," Regina confirms. Emma had left her side for a few minutes earlier to run to the restroom and get their drinks. They both had thought that maybe Cora would feel more comfortable approaching Regina if Emma wasn't next to her, but that didn't appear to be the case. "Apparently, we're in a passive-aggressive holding pattern all day," she shrugs. "But, I guess that's better than the alternative. The last thing I want to do is cause a scene at my sister's shower. This day should be about her and her soon-to-be baby, so if that means my mother doesn't talk to me at all, then so be it."

Emma bites back a retort, deciding that Regina is probably right. She hates that her mother-in-law-slash-step-mother won't talk to Regina, but the brunette has a valid point— this is not the place for conflict. "Well, if you want me to say anything to her and knock her off her high horse, let me know. I'm happy to do it."

Regina looks over at her wife and smiles. "I appreciate the thought, but please don't."

"Please don't what?" they hear a voice approach from behind them.

"Murder your mother," Emma says nonchalantly, addressing the very pregnant redhead who has joined them.

"Ooh, but that would be the best baby shower present anyone could ever give me," Zelena whines. "Please don't let me sister stop you."

"Uh oh," Regina says. "Trouble in Storybrooke?"

"Ugh," Zelena sighs. "It's barely been two weeks but she's driving me insane, Regina. You need to make up with her while you're in town, because that way she'll turn some of her attention to you and I'll finally catch a break."

Regina chuckles. "You're the one who decided to move into the guest house for four months. I told you to consider other options., but you chose to ignore my advice."

"Yeah, yeah, you were right. I'm not going to make it another four months. I might not make it another four days."

"Sure you will. Once the baby is here you'll appreciate the extra hands. And if nothing else, just imagine how much fun it will be for you to have your daughter screaming and disturbing Mother all the time. In fact, I think you should move from the guest house into the main house, just for that reason."

"Hmm, that is tempting," Zelena says, taking a sip of her sparkling water. "Maybe that's how I can get my revenge."

"I've missed you, Zee," Regina says, wrapping an arm around her sister's waist. I'm so glad you're back home and not an ocean away."

"Well, we'll see if it's permanent," she says. Zelena and Walsh had come to Maine earlier in the month, where they are planning to stay until the end of August, at least. Zelena wants to have the baby in the U.S., as her entire family is in the States and she would like the added support. Her fiancé's parents had passed away when he was in college, so they don't have any extended family left in London to lend their support during the next few months. The couple already had booked the Storybrooke Country Club for their wedding in August, so Zelena had figured that coming to Storybrooke early would give them plenty of time to prepare for the baby and finalize the wedding plans locally. Cora and Leopold had offered the pair the guesthouse, so they wouldn't need to worry about rent or finding a place to live during their sabbatical. "Walsh is putting some feelers out and determining what he'll need to do to practice law here, in case we decide to stay," Zelena adds. "If he can find something, then we might."

"Well, I hope you do," Regina says.

"Hi guys," Mary-Margaret says as she greets the trio of women. "Sorry I'm late to the party. The twins didn't want to eat and I lost track of time," she sighs.

"No worries, darling," Zelena says.

"How are our precious niece and nephews?" Emma asks as she steals a cookie from her sister's plate, earning herself a slap on the wrist from Mary-Margaret.

"Neal is out with David for the day playing baseball or something…I don't even know. And Evie and Robbie are hopefully down for a very long nap," she answers. "Daddy's keeping an eye on them. Cora tried to get him to come down for at least part of the shower, but he refused."

"Leopold's a smart man," Regina states before she can think better of it. She looks over at her sister sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Don't be," Zelena waves her off. "Believe me, I wouldn't be here if I had any other choice."

Emma raises a brow at that. "Really?"

"God yes. You're still new to this family and have only been privy to a few of these parties, but you'll quickly learn that any event planned by Cora West is no walk in the park, especially if you're the guest of honor. At least you guys and Walsh are able to get plastered. I'm stuck dealing with Mother while sober."

"She's not that bad," Mary-Margaret tries.

"Yes, she is," Zelena and Regina respond simultaneously, causing them both to giggle.

"Well, I still think it's nice that she's throwing you this party," the petite brunette says.

"It would be nicer if she didn't have me scheduled down to the minute. Speaking of which, I've already been talking with you lot two minutes longer than I was supposed to, and if I want my scheduled pee break in five minutes, I need to go talk to one of her snooty friends now so that I don't cut her time too short. God, save me," the redhead mumbles as she waddles off.

"Wow," Emma comments, watching her walk away.

"Welcome to a Cora West-Blanchard party," Regina says, downing the rest of her drink. "I'm going to go get a refill. Can I get anyone anything?"

"No thanks," Emma says, barely halfway through her own glass. She's quickly realizing she may need to pace herself, because it's clear Regina will not be, and one of them needs to stay relatively sober.

*.*.*

"So, you're Emma," an older woman says to the blonde as the formal brunch is wrapping up. "Leopold's daughter."

"Yes," Emma forces a smile at the woman who has been sitting next to her throughout the meal, though until now she hasn't spoken. She doesn't know who the woman is, but based on the judgmental looks she's being subjected to, she doesn't find that she really cares to find out.

"So, you're Zelena and Regina's step-sister," the older woman continues.

"Yes…technically," Emma says, her fake smile quickly fading. Regina has been resting her hand on Emma's thigh as the brunette engages in conversation with the woman sitting across from them at the table. Emma feels the grip on her thigh tighten briefly, though she isn't sure if it's in warning or protection.

"But you and Regina—"

"Are married, yes," Regina cuts in. "Hi, Bitsy," she says to the older woman. The name rolls off her tongue with distaste.

"Regina, dear," Bitsy says with a disapproving look. "Your mother had such high hopes for you…"

"Bitsy, for the love of God, stop, please," another woman interrupts from behind their chairs, and Emma hears Regina release a breath.

"Oh, thank god," Regina whispers to herself. "Hi, Nancy," she says, turning around in her seat.

"Hello, gorgeous. It's good to see you again," she says, kissing Regina on the cheek as the woman known as Bitsy quickly leaves the table in a huff. Nancy promptly takes her spot. "And you must be Emma," she says, looking at the blonde.

"I am…" Emma starts, still confused.

"Emma, this is Nancy Colter. Daniel's mom," Regina explains, and it suddenly clicks for Emma. Regina had mentioned to her that Daniel's mom was the only parental figure who had outwardly protested the attempted arranged marriage between Regina and Daniel after they graduated high school. Regina's own father, of course, hadn't supported the idea, but he hadn't had much of a say in the situation since he was in the middle of a contentious divorce. After the breakdown of the engagement and subsequent estrangement from Cora, Nancy had stayed in contact with Regina to make sure she was handling it well. The two have lost touch over the years, but Regina has always appreciated the older woman.

"It's nice to meet you, Nancy," Emma says.

"You as well. I've heard so much about you," she smirks.

"Really?" Emma asks, looking at Regina who is blushing uncontrollably.

"She may have told me about her little drunken hookup right after she told Cora that she wouldn't be marrying my son," Nancy clarifies. "Of course at the time, she didn't really know who you were. She just referred to you as, what was it, Regina?" she asks, looking at the embarrassed brunette. "Oh yes, the 'hot lesbian who proved that I'm most definitely gay.' I believe that was it."

"Oh God," Regina says, resting her head on her hand on the table.

"Regina, where are your manners?" Cora scolds as she happens to walk by. "Behave with at least a modicum of respect. Elbows, dear," she admonishes before walking off.

"Jesus," Emma says, rolling her eyes.

Regina sits up and lets her elbows slide off the table so her mother can't yell at her again. "At least she spoke to me. That's an improvement, I suppose."

"Anyway," Nancy says, "I think it's lovely that you found your way to each other again, and I wish you nothing but the best."

"Thank you, Nancy. That means a lot."

"I hope to see you before you head home. Will you be at the picnic tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

Nancy smiles knowingly before standing up to make her way to the drink table. "Take care of yourself, Regina." Her words are light, but their meaning is heavy.

"She seems nice," Emma says when the woman is no longer in earshot.

"Yeah, she's wonderful. Always has been."

"So, who was that other bitch?" Emma asks.

"Oh, Bitsy? That would be Daniel's stepmother. And Mother's former campaign manager."

"Wow."

"Yep. We're not the only family in Storybrooke with fucked up dynamics. It's a small town with a lot of dysfunction."

*.*.*

"Oh, thank God," Regina sighs as she collapses on the bed as soon as they return to their room at the bed and breakfast. Now that Walsh and Zelena have taken up residence in the guest house, Regina and Emma have opted to stay at the local inn. Leopold had told them it would be fine for them to stay in the main house, but with Mary-Margaret, David, and their three kids also at the mayoral mansion, and the ever-present feud between Regina and Cora, that would have been too much stress to manage. "I thought that was never going to end. I know it was only three hours, but that was brutal."

"I know. But you survived," Emma says kicking off her shoes and then sitting down next to her wife on the bed.

Regina looks up at her and opens one eye. "Barely. I still can't believe she would stoop that low."

"That surprised me, too. But really, I think she just made herself look bad. I think some of her friends realized just how shitty she has been to you.'

"Maybe, but I don't care if her friends know that she can be a horrible human being, and I don't think she cares either. Her goal was to hurt and humiliate me, and she succeeded," Regina sighs. During the baby shower games, Cora had organized a game where everyone places a baby photo of themselves that they had been asked to bring on the table, and then the attendees guess who is who. Neither Emma nor Regina had brought a photo, knowing that they were at their parents' house and could grab one from an old photo album. Emma had done exactly that, thanks to Leopold keeping the baby book Emma had with her when she was adopted after her biological parents' death. But Regina had quickly learned that her mother no longer had any of her baby pictures on hand, saying that they were probably in storage somewhere. Of course, she had no problem locating several of Zelena's baby photos that are still prominently displayed around the home, but Regina had been erased from all pictorial memory.

"I'm sorry, babe," Emma says, laying back on the bed to join Regina, draping an arm around her stomach. "Anything I can do? Is there anything specific you want to do for the rest of the day before we go out to dinner with David and Mary-Margaret?"

Regina shakes her head. "Not really. I think I just want to nap. It's been a stressful morning, and I'm still tired from our late flight last night. Will you just lay here and cuddle with me?"

"Of course I will."

A/N: Oh, and is it Memorial Day weekend? That sounds like a holiday to me! I had already planned on having Zelena's baby shower be at the end of May before I even realized it would coincide with Memorial Day. So, this means that you might get two updates back-to-back, if I get myself together enough to write a Memorial Day chapter by tomorrow. (I certainly set myself up for one here, and I have some ideas for Cora's barbeque). Let me know what you think, and in the meantime I'll try to get something down to have a bonus part-two chapter :)