I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does. Well, actually, I own Nathan and Odette. I also don't own Horton Hatches an Egg.
3: Swan Egg
At the end of the day when everyone left, Emma was in charge of getting the children fed and ready for bed while Regina cleaned up the tea party. Bodies were bathed, teeth were brushed, and favorite pajamas were on in a relatively short time. Emma had both kids in Nathan's bed, chosen bedtime story in her lap, when Regina appeared in the doorway.
"Look, Mommy's here to read with us," Emma said, delighting in the way the children's faces lit up. Hopeful eyes shot to Regina, who gave them a small smile in return.
Regina looked the bed over. "I'm not sure there's space for me, though. I suppose I'll just have to go to my own bed and miss out on all this love and a great story." She put the back of her hand to her forehead, really selling the melodrama. This happened at least once a week, but the children never seemed to catch on.
"Mama! We should go to your bed, so Mommy can fit and we can all read the story together!" Nathan clapped at his own idea. Odette cosigned it with a frantic nod, clutching Emma's arm for dear life.
Emma chuckled. "Well, I'd hate to leave Mommy out of any family activity, so I guess we'll have to move."
Regina took hold of the storybook while Emma grabbed both kids. They were not heavy, even with their combined weight. She tucked one under each arm, earning giggles from both of them as they leaned against her. Their little nails dug into her bare shoulders as they walked to the main bedroom. She made a mental note to trim their nails when they fell asleep.
Emma tossed the kids on the bed, earning more giggles and they quickly made their way to the center of the bed. Emma eased on her side and Nathan leaned against her. Regina settled into her side and Odette wrapped her arms around Regina's arm. Regina leaned down and kissed the top of Odette's head. She also leaned over to kiss the top of Nathan's head. He made a laughing noise and slapped his head, like he was rubbing the kiss away. Emma leaned down and kissed the same spot. He squealed and had the same reaction. They all laughed.
"All right, let's see what story you agreed on." Regina put the storybook between the two children. Horton Hatches an Egg was their pick for the night.
Emma turned back to the story. Instead of classical fairy tales that they were all sick of, they read folklore from other cultures, mythology from other cultures, even cute history stories. Regina had found child-friendly versions of certain Shakespeare plays and things like that. And, best of all, were graphic novels. The children were partial to Doctor Seuss, which Emma thought made sense. What kid did not have a favorite Seuss story, after all?
Emma and Regina took turns reading. Every now and then, they let Nathan and Odette try on small words. Tonight, there were questions as well, though.
"So, is Horton the elephant-bird's egg or spoon?" Nathan asked.
"Mayzie is definitely the elephant-bird's egg. Horton is more the papa than anything else. He protected the egg until it hatched, but he didn't have the egg," Regina replied.
Nathan nodded, but his face was scrunched up. Emma wanted to jump in, but she held off. If Nathan needed more clarification, he would ask another question. He did not and the story continued on.
Nathan was out as soon as the words "one-hundred percent" were uttered for the last time. Odette was in full snuggle-bug mode, tucked against Regina, but still awake, green eyes focused on the closed book. Emma leaned over, running her fingers through Odette's hair.
"You want to go to your bed?" Emma asked. Every now and then, Odette liked to show she could take care of herself and sleep in her bed alone, like a big girl. Nathan had no such shame and would sleep in his mothers' bed without an invite whenever he felt like it.
Odette shook her head and twiddled her hands, possibly to keep from signing whatever was on her mind. "Mama, are you my egg?" She signed the question as well.
Emma smiled, even though she had some trouble with the sign language. One of these days I have to get better with my signs. She could make them, but it was hard for her to follow someone else's signs, especially Odette when she was anxious. "You want to talk about this now instead of going to sleep?"
"Yeah, real talk." The signs for "real talk" were very clear.
"Okay, we can have real talk." Emma glanced over at Regina, needing to make sure she did not pass out from having to have this conversation twice in roughly two days.
"Nathan said Mommy is his egg and you're Henry's egg. Lazy Mayzie was the elephant-bird's egg. Who's my egg?" Odette asked, her hands fidgeting instead of signing. Emma heard Regina sniffle and Regina put her arm around Odette, pulling her closer.
"Well, sweetie, first, is it really important for you to know who your egg is?" Emma caressed Odette's soft cheek.
Odette shrugged and glanced away for a moment. "I dunno. It's not fair Nathan and Henry know and I don't."
"No matter who your egg is, you have to know you have your Mama and Mommy, okay, sweetheart?" Regina said.
Odette looked between them, eyes wide and little creamy forehead wrinkled. "You don't know who my egg is?"
Emma shook her head. "I'm sorry, sweetie. We don't know who your egg or spoon is. Just like your mommy adopted Henry and I adopted Nathan, we adopted you."
"But, you're their eggs and not mine and you knew Nathan's spoon." Odette looked between her mothers.
Emma's heart sank a little. She wished they had better answers for Odette. "I'm sorry, princess. We don't know. But, it doesn't matter because you have parents and a family and we love you. I didn't have any of that when I was your age." All Emma wanted when she was Odette's age was a loving family. It did not matter who they were.
Odette gasped and her mouth stayed open for a long moment. "You didn't have your mommy? But, you have your mommy and your daddy now."
Emma gave a little nod. "Yeah, but I didn't get them until a few years ago. For a long time, I was on my own. I didn't have a mommy or daddy and I didn't know who my egg and spoon were either. I like to think I turned out okay."
"You're a really good mama." Odette reached over and patted her bicep with her tiny hand.
Emma could not help smiling. Odette did not know it, but those words filled Emma with such happiness if she was not careful, she would cry. If Emma did not do anything else with her life, she wanted to do right by her children. They were her world and they deserved the best of everything. She never wanted them to feel the way she felt as a child, unwanted and defective.
"Thank you. I'm sorry we don't know who your egg and spoon are," Emma replied.
"That's okay. I'm glad you're my mama and mommy. But, how'd you get me?" Odette asked, her brow furrowed again.
"Well, the same way we each got your brothers," Regina replied.
Odette's tiny brow furrowed. "But, you're Nathan's egg and Mama is Henry's egg."
"Yes, but Henry was not my egg. Mama couldn't take care of Henry at first, so I adopted Henry. You know that. Henry always tells you the story."
Odette's face scrunched up and it was clear in that moment she did not completely grasp what Henry had been telling her at the time. Nathan was probably same. It was fine. She was only four and Nathan was five. They would understand eventually.
Regina continued on. "Nathan isn't Mama's egg and Mama wanted to help me care for him, so she adopted him. That's how we became their Mommy and Mama together. We both cared about you and wanted our family be complete, so we adopted you, so we're your Mommy and Mama. You know from all your stories, everyone's family is different."
Odette cuddled even closer to Regina, practically disappearing into her side. She nodded. "I'm happy you did. I'm happy you're my family."
"We're happy we did, too. We're very happy you're our family. We love you, kiddo." Emma caressed Odette's head.
Odette yawned. "Love you, too. How come you don't know my egg or spoon, though? You know Nathan's spoon and Nathan said you told him that every baby has an egg and a spoon because that's what makes a baby. I was a baby."
Emma laughed while Regina smiled. Their little girl was too logical. Emma thought she picked that up from Regina. Yeah, Regina used to let her emotions get the better of her, but she was much better at thinking things through than Emma was in a normal situation.
"You were a baby, yes. But, you were a baby when we adopted you and didn't know who your egg and spoon were by then. If you really want to know, though, we can find out," Emma replied. She had looked when they first got Odette, but she had not looked very hard. It was not like she wanted to give Odette back to her birth parents after finding out they disregarded her because she was deaf. Not just disregarded, but abandoned her in a park, throwing her away like she was litter.
Odette stared down at the sheet for a long moment. "If you find them, could they take me from you? Like because I'm theirs?"
"You are not theirs. You are mine and your Mommy's daughter, okay? We're all a family and we're not going to let anyone ever take you from us, okay?" Emma replied.
Odette's eyes went back to the sheet, considering the words. Then, she shook her head. "No, I don't want you to find them."
"Baby, if you're scared they can take you away, you don't have to worry. We would never let them," Regina said.
Odette shook her head again. "No. I'm okay." She settled onto her pillow and closed her eyes, never letting go of Regina. Regina kissed the top of her head again.
"You think she's scared we could lose her?" Emma asked, unable to keep from caressing Odette's head. She also ran her fingers through Nathan's unruly mane. She wanted to let it grow wild, down his back. Regina would never stand for it, though.
Regina let loose a little scoff. "She's not the only one."
Emma's eyes went wide. "Babe, you know I'd never let anyone take her from us, especially not the people who dared to leave her in the freaking park. Hell, especially people who left her in a park because of her disability." She was a little insulted Regina considered she might let such a thing happen.
"Do you think they see her on the street? They see her in Granny's? They see her at Town Hall meetings with us? Do they know what a treasure they threw away?" Regina caressed Odette's hair.
Emma shook her head. "I like to imagine she fell out of the sky for us. She's like Thumbelina or something."
"I'm almost certain Thumbelina didn't fall out of the sky, nor did Odette. It's troubling to me that one day her parents might see her on the street and decide they can now handle her and want her back. I would like a child I don't need to fight the world for," Regina said.
Emma winced. "Sorry."
Regina sighed and reached over, taking Emma's hand. "Come now, my love. You know I don't mean you. Any time we have to deal with Robin is draining. Could you imagine him times two?"
Emma blew out a breath. "Just like with Robin, everyone knows who Odette's parents are. No judge would ever give her back to her birth parents. They left her in a damn park, Regina. If I hadn't been there, she'd have died. Who the hell would give a baby back to them?"
Honey brown eyes were haunted, trapped in the past and future. "What if one day, they encounter her, tell her who they are, and she's curious about them. They are her birth parents. Our children don't seem very interested in just allowing us to be their parents."
"That's only true with Henry and that was special circumstances. He was pissed we both lied to him, but he got over and we don't lie anymore. Nathan doesn't care about Robin. He just wanted to know why Roland was calling Robin his dad. Nathan doesn't want anything to do with Robin. Remember, he thinks he's creepy."
Regina rubbed her palms together. "How long will that last, though?"
Hearing Regina talk like that never failed to crush Emma. No mother should ever fear losing their child, but Regina carried that everyday and still managed to be a mother Emma used to dream of having. Emma was not sure how she might ever get rid of this fear, but she wanted to free Regina of it.
"Regina, you can't live life this way, waiting for the kids to forsake you at the drop of a hat. You'll become a nervous wreck," Emma said. "They love you. We love you."
Regina shook her head and Emma wished they were not sharing their bed right now. She reached over the kids and put her hand on Regina's bicep. She hoped the contact was enough for the moment. This might end up being a thing only time would heal.
"When did you start wondering about your birth parents?" Regina asked after long moments of silence.
"After about the third family sent me back to the group home. I was just sick of getting sent back. Our kids won't ever have to worry about that," Emma replied.
"Doesn't mean they won't eventually worry over their birth parents." Regina let loose a hollow laugh. "Funny. I spent years wishing I was adopted, wishing someone would come take me from my mother."
"You are not your mother, babe. You're the exact opposite of your mother. The kids aren't ever going to sit around waiting for another set of parents to rescue them. Are there going to be times it'll be hard? Sure. We know that thanks to Henry's angsty teenage years and we know that from our own moody teen years. It'll happen, but they're not going to throw us all away, Regina. You can't keep thinking like that. Just like they're worth it, you're worth it. Our family is worth it." Emma truly believed that.
Regina took a breath, but did not say anything else. Emma was not sure how to get through to her spouse. She had faith in their family and their kids, but maybe it was because she did not live through "you're not my mom" like Regina did. But, also, they had no plans to hide adoptions from the children, even if by accident, which was what Regina did with Henry, in regards to being adopted anyway.
There was also the fact that Emma knew what it was like in the system, to be lost in the system. She knew what a treasure a family was, as did Regina. She did her best to help her children understand that and she felt like Regina did the same. She supposed she and Regina took it too different ways, though. She reveled in it while Regina feared it going away, as all good things did in their lives. No, not this. Never this.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma sat at work, scowling at the desk as she tried to think of someway to make Regina feel better about their children and the security of their family. Nothing came to mind and she just felt worse. That morning, Regina had woken up and made them all pancakes for breakfast with sausage and fruit. Then, there were the homemade lunches, which was what started Emma thinking about Regina all over again when she opened her lunch.
"You okay over there?" Mulan called from her desk, which was barely three feet away. She had her lunch in front of her.
"Mulan, do you ever worry that Roland is going to one day want to get away from you? Scream that you're not his real mother? Run away to be with Robin?" Emma asked.
Mulan put down her chopsticks and tilted her head. "You are scared Nathan is going to reject you?"
"Not really. That's my Duckling." Emma was fairly secure in her relationship with both of her adopted children. She did not worry that one day they would be screaming she was not their "real" mother. It probably would not even occur to her if it was not for Regina. She did not think in terms of "real" mother beyond what made some a real parent, raising a child.
Mulan's face scrunched up a little. "Then, what is the problem? I know you are not worried about Odette."
"I do think about her possibly wanting to find her birth parents one day. She wanted to know about them last night."
Mulan nodded. "Did you look for them?"
Emma scoffed and made a face. She wondered if she should feel guilty about what she was going to say. She did not see why. She was not the one who abandoned a baby in the park, after all. "I didn't look hard. I'm sure even with thirty-thousand people in town, I could find the couple who used to have a deaf baby girl and don't have her anymore. I don't want to do that. I don't care about them. They left a baby in a park because she couldn't hear, not knowing if someone would find her in time or not. They're monsters as far as I'm concerned and I don't want her around them. If she wants to seriously find them when she gets older, I'll work with her for it."
Mulan scratched her chin. "Then, what is your trouble?"
"Regina worries over the kids one day rejecting her for not being their 'real' mother. You don't worry about that with Roland?"
Mulan shook her head. "He is going through something right now, but it is not as bad as it was. A couple of months ago, he was on the verge of pushing me away completely, wanting nothing to do with me. He has had a hard time dealing with Ming, sharing us. I think he was upset Ming was biologically mine and Marian's than anything else. He assumed we loved her more, perhaps still worries over it. He did not reject me in the sense that I was not his 'real' parent, but more that he assumed Ming was my 'real' child and I loved her more than I did him. I have talked about it with him several times for him to know and understand that is not the case, but he has a long path ahead of him. I think he is on the right path, though."
Emma's brow furrowed. "What happened?"
"There was an incident over something and he yelled about how we loved Ming more than him and he just wanted to live with his dad. After that, he often screamed about how he wanted to stay with his father."
"What did you do?"
"At first we resisted, as you know, Robin is hardly equipped or ready to care for a child full time in this day and age."
Emma scoffed. "Does Robin even know what this day and age is?" He still walked around in his Enchanted Forest clothing when they spotted him in town and he did not have a woman on his arm.
Mulan shrugged. "I can hardly be sure what he thinks is going on. But, then Marian felt like we should actually let Roland live with his dad."
Emma winced. "Really?" That seemed like a dangerous approach. Marian fought long and hard to have primary custody of Roland. If Roland ended up preferring Robin's place, Marian could have lost all of that hard work.
Mulan let out a light laugh. "It was a brilliant idea, although a little diabolical. Roland learned to appreciate home much more after being with Robin for a week. He missed a week of school because Robin did not have the presence of mind to walk him to the bus stop. He tried one day to go on his own, but Robin decided to take him hunting since he was up so early. This was more upsetting for him because there was a trip he was looking forward to and he missed it. He had no problem with living on stew for the weekend, but he was not happy to have it all week, especially since he did not get a chance to cook with Marian like he usually does. He also does not like Robin's cooking, feeling like Robin does not use the right spices and he should know since he believes himself to be quite the accomplished cook. Before the week was done, he said he felt sick from that food. He missed a week's worth of tai chi and sword training with me, which he was upset over. Robin's cabin is also much colder than our home at night. He said he could deal with it over the weekend, but not so much every single day. He missed out on television shows we watch together and books he liked to read to Ming. He missed out on art projects he likes to do with Ming, puzzles and other things they do together. He learned to appreciate home and he learned he missed us."
Emma's face twisted up. "But, he's still all about Robin."
Mulan shook her head. "Not as much as you would think and it is fine. Robin is his father. He likes having a parent to himself, but he is not willing to live with Robin again. He understands I am his parent, even if we do not share blood, and he understand he loves Ming as much as we do."
"Yeah, well, Nathan isn't living with Robin if things come to that." Not that Emma felt like it would ever come to that.
"Why not just remind Regina she's a different person now?" David said as he came back to his desk. He was also having his lunch, but had stepped out to go wash his hands before he dug into his monster hero sandwich. He had about three feet worth of sandwich and she knew he would eat it all.
Emma gave her father a dirty look. "You think I haven't tried that?"
David waved off the expression. "Of course you're going to say that. You're her wife. Remind her from the rest of us. Point out she's evolved. If I can accept it, then she should be able to. She gave Henry up when she realized she didn't love him in the right way and he made his way back to her. She's changed to the point where we were all comfortable actually electing her mayor this go 'round. People want her to watch their children! Hell, I want her to watch mine!" David patted himself in the chest.
Emma snickered. "She does watch yours."
"The younger ones who think putting peanut butter on my pants is funny."
"I think that's funny."
David snorted as he threw his head back. "Why do I bother to try to help you?"
"I love that you think you help." Emma winked at her father.
"Anyway, let Regina know she's worrying over something she doesn't have to because she's not the same person she was. She's the person she was meant to be," David said.
Emma nodded. She liked that. Regina was the person she was meant to be. She hoped that worked because it was so much the truth. Regina had been interrupted when she had been forced to marry the King. Slowly, but she surely she got back on track after the Curse broke. Their children knew they had a good mommy. Regina had to see and accept that.
"This might also be a little bit of her missing Henry," David said.
"You think?" Emma asked. It made sense, even if Henry had been in college for a year now. Regina had fallen apart when they drove him down to Boston University, big, ugly tears and all. The separation anxiety sneaked up on her at the strangest times.
"I still remember the awkward moment she cried making sandwiches for the kids because it was Henry's favorite," David replied.
Emma winced. Okay, yeah, that was awkward and very true. So, this could be linked to Henry and Regina's insecurity at the same time. Emma had a good idea on what to do. If only for a temporary solution.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina could not wait to get out of her heels. For whatever reason, today seemed hard. Everyone had extra-fight in them, despite how stupid their arguments might be. Emma might have sensed it somehow, as she had volunteered to get both children, even though it was Regina's day. Regina had not been in the mood to deal with Odette's daycare. It was always something with them about Odette and they were supposed to be the best daycare in town.
"Welcome home, Mommy!" Odette trotted over, grinning at her.
"Hi, honey." Regina smiled and felt her tension drain from her body. "Wait, why are you already in your pajamas?"
Odette was dressed in her favorite footie pajamas with a hood, so she could be a pink unicorn. "Mama said we're having a pajama party! You have to get into your pajamas right now!"
"Well, I hope Mama gave you a bath first."
Odette nodded. "She did, but you'll brush my hair?"
Regina smiled. "You know I will." One of the ways she bonded with Odette was to do her hair. Emma was rather useless when it came to their daughter's hair, even though Odette had hair very similar to Emma's beyond color. Regina brushed, combed, and braided Odette's hair whenever she could. Nathan liked to get in on it and Regina would always do the same for him, much to Emma's dismay. Emma wanted their son's hair to be "wild and free."
"Okay. You should take a bath first. Mama is still picking movies and making food."
"Mama is cooking?" It was not unheard of, but not if they were having a pajama party. And, yes, this was not their first pajama party.
Odette nodded. "But, pajama food. And you have to be nice. Mama's working really hard!" She wagged her finger at Regina.
Regina chuckled. "I'm always nice to Mama." Okay, maybe she was a little sarcastic when Emma cooked, but she was never outright mean to Emma anymore and definitely not in front of their children.
"Okay. Mama said take a bath, so being nice is listening." Odette wagged her finger at Regina again.
Regina smiled. Emma often told the children "being nice is listening" to make sure they knew to listen. It was always good to know the kids listened. It was much like their strategy of telling the children to make "good moves," as if they were playing a game they wanted to win. They had to make good moves in life.
"Can I go give Mama and Nathan a hello hug?" Regina looked by Odette, wanting a glimpse of Emma and Nathan.
Odette shook her head. "Mama said bath first." She folded her arms across her chest and gave Regina a very familiar stern look.
"Well, I can't disobey such an adorable unicorn." Regina turned to the stairs.
"Mommy's taking a bath, Mama!" Odette pattered off while Regina disappeared upstairs.
Regina chuckled and went to shower. Part of her hoped Emma surprised her in there, but that was a dream. There was no way Emma would leave their two young children alone and even if she did, Regina would scold the hell out of her. So, Regina took a lonely shower and eased into her "pajamas." She put on black yoga pants and one of Emma's "property of Storybrooke's Sheriff Dept" shirts. Her family waited for her on the couch with a pile of sliders, chicken tenders, and fries on the coffee table.
"Come here, babe." Emma was in the middle of the sofa and pulled Regina down to her. Odette moved to throw herself against Regina's open side while Nathan was busy with an iPad. He squeezed in between Emma and Regina, even though there was almost no space. He had to be squished, but did not seem to care.
"Oh, Mom just sat down. Look!" Nathan turned the tablet to Regina, showing Henry.
"Hey, Mom!" Henry grinned and waved.
"Henry?" Regina was not expecting a call from him. Her heart fluttered in her chest and she felt lighter suddenly. She wanted to touch him and hold him, but seeing him was good.
"Nathan invited me to the pajama party. Well, Ma did, but we're giving Nathan credit for whatever reason," Henry said.
Nathan turned the iPad back to him. "Because it was my idea!" He puffed out his chest. "I called you and everything!"
"How was the pajama party your idea?" Emma asked.
"Because you said we should watch a movie, but I said we should wear our PJs, like a sleepover. So, my idea. And, I called Henry. Me," Nathan replied, poking himself in the chest. "So, our whole family is here and it was my idea."
"Sounds like he's got you, Ma. Story of your life, thwarted by your own child," Henry said. "Turn me back to Mom, Nathan." Nathan did as requested. "So, yeah, I'm here for the pajama party. I'm in my PJs, too!" He tilted his phone, so she could see he was in his pajamas, which consisted of ratty basketball shorts and a rattier t-shirt. She just hoped they were clean.
"What is this about a pajama party?" Regina looked around at her family, everyone in their most comfy, favorite pajamas. "What's going on?"
"It's family night. We've going to watch the Muppets, eat junk, and cuddle on the couch with all of our favorite people," Emma replied.
"I'm here for a couple of movies, but then I've got studying to do," Henry announced.
Regina did not argue with any of this. Emma started the movie, Muppets Most Wanted, and wrapped an arm around Regina and Nathan. Odette laid in Regina's lap, arms draped on Emma. Emma and Henry commented throughout the movie, as they tended to do. Nathan made sure everyone always had a slider or a chicken finger in their hands. Odette mouthed the dialogue, knowing the movie by heart.
By the second movie, Muppet's Treasure Island, Odette pressed a brush into Regina's hand and she brushed Odette's hair. After a through brushing, Regina gave Odette a french braid. Eventually, Nathan crawled over, wanting his hair brushed as well. He was also given a french braid, which got a laugh out of everyone. His would not last as long as Odette's due to his curls wanting to be free, but it was fine. Henry had to go before the ending, as his paper would not write itself. Once the movie was done, the children brushed their teeth and went to bed without a story since they had watched the movies.
"Thank you for tonight," Regina said as she and Emma snuggled on the couch. Emma scrolled through their Netflix list for something to watch. Regina felt settled inside for the first time in what felt like forever.
Emma pulled her close and nuzzled the top of her head. "I wanted you to see how much we all like being together and want to be together. Not to mention, Henry was willing to sit through a Muppets movie over a FaceTime call to spend time with us. Surely that means something. While we might not be all of their eggs, they're definitely ours."
Regina smiled. She appreciated the effort, but she could not tell Emma it would take more than one family night to keep her from worrying over the children one day disowning her. But, maybe more days like this would build her up. Henry was willing to sit through the Muppets over FaceTime and younger pair cuddled into her like she was the safest place on Earth. They had not rejected her upon finding out about their adoptions like Henry had, so maybe that was a good sign.
"I know how you feel, though," Emma said.
Regina blinked and wondered if she accidentally voiced her thought. "What do you mean?"
"You know I never had a family. There are days I'm waiting for all this to fall apart, too. Days I wonder what the hell you're doing with me. Days I think the kids will realize I don't know what the hell I'm doing. Days when I think I'll fuck this up, as I've done in the past," Emma replied.
"You wouldn't. You haven't," Regina said.
"I'm just saying I get scared, too. I want you to not be scared. We're here. If you get scared, we can talk because I get scared."
Regina smiled. "We can be scared together?"
"I know it sounds stupid, but we both know it works. And I should've told you this a while ago, but you should've told me, too." Emma kissed Regina.
"Yes, we should've told each other. We have to talk. We know that." Regina nodded. She hated that knowing Emma got scared helped her. "We can pick each other up."
"That's what we do." Emma rubbed her shoulder. "It'll be all right. We've got this."
Regina nodded and curled into close to her wife. She could believe that, or try to believe it. She knew it was true.
"You're right. They are our eggs," Regina said.
Emma laughed. "Yes, they are. And, I know how much it scares you that one day they'll say something, but I can tell you this, all I ever wanted was a family at their age. They might take us for granted some times, but that just means we've done a good enough job that they can do that. We're a family. They'll get that. Henry gets it. They'll get it."
This was also true. Regina nodded. "When did you get so smart?"
Emma chuckled even more. "Must be from all the health food you keep forcing me to eat. It's jump-starting my brain." Regina gave her a kiss. Yes, they were a family. There would be ups and downs, as there had been, but they were in this together. They were all in this together, even if there were unanswered spoons and eggs floating about. They would deal with that if and when it was necessary.
-8-8-8-8-
The end.
Thanks for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. I'm going back to my padded cell, but I'll be back. If you like my work, please go check out my books on Amazon under the name S. L. Kassidy. Come say hi to me on Facebook; there's a link on my profile.