Okay, I intended to post this sooner, but Windows 10 sucks and so I decided to just get a new old lap top instead. And now, onto the story!

It was a nice sunny morning in Storybrooke. The residents were out and about, going to Saturday market, picking up groceries, perhaps the dry cleaning or just out for a nice stroll in the park around the pond. The Mills – Hood family gathered around a picnic table in the park. Balloons of pink and blue served as centerpieces for the decorated tables. Robin and David situated themselves in front of the onsite grill, watching the chicken, burgers and hotdogs. Mary – Margaret and Emma greeted a smattering of coworkers and friends. Regina was highly impressed with how quickly Mary – Margaret pulled together the event. It almost made Regina a little sad, for what was about to happen, but only a little bit. Mary – Margaret made eye contact with Regina, offering a very excited grin. Regina smiled a tight grin in return. She fiddled with the paper tablecloth, watching nervously as the guests situated themselves under the pavilion.

"Hey Reg," Mal finally made her way over to her work best friend.

"Hey, glad you could make it on such short notice."

"Yeah, I was surprised to get the invite given how dead set against this you were. What changed?"

"Oh, nothing's changed."

"Well if nothing's changed why are we here for a gender reveal?"

"Because it means sooo much to Mary – Margaret. I just want to teach her a lesson."

"A lesson?"

"Yeah."

"Care to let me in?"

"No, nope, not gonna happen. Let's just sit back and enjoy the festivities." Mal leaned back a little on the bench and sighed. She knew Regina was cutthroat so that made Mal a little wary of what exactly the woman had planned if it wasn't really a gender reveal at the gender reveal party. More friends and coworkers came up to Regina to offer greetings before seating themselves and socializing a bit. "Excuse me a moment, Mal. Squishy is feeling famished."

"Do you want me to grab you something? Make you a plate with snacks?"

"Oh, how sweet of you to ask. I wasn't sure you had a sweet side. But I really want some meat."

"They've got lunchmeat."

"I can't eat cold cuts."

"Wha?"

"Yeah, Listeria – it's a terrible thing for the baby."

"Oh, okay."

"Maybe you can get pregnant one day and enjoy the long list of foods you cannot eat when you're pregnant. Starting with those smoke salmon rolls you love so much." Regina smirked before heading off to find her husband still standing in front of the grill with David, sipping on a bottle of beer.

"Hey babe, enjoying yourself?" Regina nervously rubbed her hands together and stepped into her husband's side. He opened his left arm to gather her close while he turned a burger with the other hand.

"There are a lot of people. I didn't know we knew so many."

"Relax, it's okay. They're here to support us."

"It almost makes me feel guilty for all of this." David stared at Regina.

"Guilty? For what?" Regina's head snapped up in the direction of David's voice. She forgot he was helping Robin grill the meats.

"You'll find out soon enough, but this is partly your fault anyway."

"My fault? I don't even know what's going on. Robin, what's she on about?"

"Oh, no need to worry mate, it won't hurt, too much." Robin let out a chuckle. He removed his arm from around Regina to grab the pan resting on the side of the grill.

"Is the food ready? Squishy is about to pass out."

"Regina, why didn't you grab something to eat?"

"I really just want meat. I don't think I can stomach the stuff on the snack table." Robin rolled his eyes."Alright, alright. Here, this burger's done." Regina's face lit up as she took the burger from Robin and leaned up to kiss his cheek. She scampered off to the snack table to pick out her condiments.

"Alright Robin, what are you two up to?"

"Nothing."

"No, you're plotting something." Robin paused for a moment before stepping closer to David.

"Alright, you can keep a secret, unlike your wife, right?" David nodded his head, motioning his hand across his lips as if he were zipping them up.

"Alright everyone! I hope you're enjoying yourselves! I know this has already been said, but Robin and Regina are so glad you could make it out here to celebrate with them. I also want to thank them for letting me do this for them," Mary – Margaret stated as she glanced over at Regina. Regina visibly tensed, tightening her hold on Robin's hand. Mary – Margaret had no idea how nervous Regina could be. Emma stood next to Mary – Margaret, a smile plastered on her face. "And now, the moment we've all been waiting for!" Robin let go of Regina's hand and motioned towards Henry and Roland. Roland walked up with the newest member of their family following close behind on a leash, while Henry carried a medium sized box decorated with pink and blue wrapping paper. Only Robin and Regina knew what was inside the box Mary – Margaret had so carefully decorated. Robin took the box from Henry and set it on the table before them. Regina grasped Robin's hand in hers as they both worked to open the box. Regina decided to go with Mary – Margaret's idea of balloons. After the flaps were opened, pink balloons floated to the top of the pavilion. Cheers erupted from lips, some "aw man's" could be heard echoing throughout the pavilion along with clapping. Mary – Margaret clasped her hands together and bounced slightly on her toes. She grinned and started to run to embrace Regina. David stood close by and grabbed at her shoulders. She glanced at her husband, confusion evident across her face.

"Let them finish, dear," David calmly stated. Regina nodded her head at Robin.

"Regina and I would like to thank you for joining us for this special occasion. I'm sure you know we adopted this little darling last weekend," Robin said as he bent to pick up the puppy from behind Roland. "We would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Mills – Hood family, Penelope Rose. It's a girl." The pavilion went eerily silent as comprehension dawned on everyone's features; shock even. Mary – Margaret's face went quickly to scowling. She stepped up to Regina, pulled her to the side and spoke in a harsh whisper.

"Regina! How could you?!"

"I'm sorry. I know how much you wanted to do a gender reveal party, no matter how much Robin and I insisted we didn't want to do the party, especially since we don't know what the sex is."

"So, you really don't know?"

"No, we don't. Now, if you're done, can we get back to the party?" Mary – Margaret nodded her head. Regina rejoined Robin. All of their guests seemed a little disgruntled.

"Well, that wasn't very nice little sis'. I came all the way from Kansas for a gender reveal party and this is the kind of crap you pull?" Regina's head snapped into the direction of a voice she hadn't heard since her wedding. Regina's eyes welled with tears. She quickly dropped Robin's hand and hurriedly walked to where her older sister, Zelena, stood with her husband Walsh. Regina reached forward to hug her sister tightly. Zelena resisted at first but eventually returned the hug. After a few silent moments Regina pulled back.

"You're here? You came down for this?"

"Uh huh," Zelena nodded her head. "And you didn't even tell me you were expecting!"

"I know, I'm sorry. It wasn't planned or anything and we're terrible at keeping in touch with each other." Zelena nodded her head. Regina's arms dropped to grasp both of Zelena's hands. She gave them a firm shake before letting go.

Returning to Robin's side, Regina cleared her throat. "I know you may think this some sort of cruel joke, I assure you it was not meant to be. Officially, for the record, Robin and I have no idea what the sex of our child is. We want to be surprised for when we actually deliver and I hope you all will respect our decision. We do thank you for joining us. We enjoyed having you all here with us. Please, if there's any food left over, take it with you. I may be eating for two, but I seriously cannot eat all of that food." Robin and Regina smiled and waved to everyone who seemed like they accepted their heartfelt apology and began packing up their things. Regina eventually wandered back over to Zelena, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. Zelena reached out once more to grasp her younger sister's hands and pulled her into an embrace. For them, the world stopped. There was nothing alive or dead in that moment except for the two of them. At worst, the two sisters perhaps spoke to each other during the holidays. At best, their relationship was strained. So for Zelena to show up to Regina's baby gender reveal party that turned out to not be a gender reveal party really cut Zelena deep, as well as Regina. Mary – Margaret came to stand behind them. She cleared her throat.

"I see you found my surprise." Regina and Zelena let go over each other. Regina turned to Mary – Margaret and enveloped her in the biggest hug she's ever received from Regina. She wasn't sure Regina had ever hugged anyone so tight. Mary – Margaret could barely move her arms in order to return the hug.

"I'm so sorry I tricked you, and if you tell anyone I apologized to you for something I shall have your heart," Regina choked out in sobs. Regina eventually let go and Mary – Margaret stroked her face.

"Zelena's only in town for a few days, so don't let me hold you two up. I'll see ya 'round, I'm sure." Regina nodded her head and gave Mary – Margaret a squeeze on the arms before she returned to David and Neal.

"My goodness, look at you. Married and knocked up, again." Zelena said awkwardly, hoping to break the tension.

"I know, I know. It's all so overwhelming."

"Well, why don't we head back to your house and you can tell me everything." Regina gaped at her sister, not sure who this person was staring back at her.

"I, uh, well,"

"Don't be so shocked. I can be civil. I can be mature."

"You're not mad?"

"Oh, I am mad, but what's the point? Let's live in the here and now, shall we? We don't need to waste any more time, neither one of us is getting younger and without mother around we're all we have left, aren't we?" Regina slowly nodded her head and wrapped her arms around Zelena once more. This is something more along the lines of what she wanted in an older sister and now that she finally had it she was a little underprepared for her emotional response.

"Uh, yeah, let me go talk to Robin. We need to load all this stuff up into the car."

"Would you like for us to help? Then we can follow you back to your house?"

"Yeah, sounds perfect."

Regina headed back over to Robin and David who were gathering presents that party goers brought with them, which was surprising given the short notice, they haven't registered for anything and it wasn't an actual baby shower. Regina smiled at the thoughtfulness of it all.

"Hey babe, you 'bout ready to go?" Robin asked.

"Yeah," she responded, rubbing his arm up and down. Robin tilted his head in the direction of Zelena.

"You guys good?" Regina smiled and nodded.

"I think so. She's going to come back to the house, we're gonna chat for a bit."

"Okay, want us to get out of your hair?" Regina cocked her head to the side.

"I hadn't really thought that far. Perhaps it would be best. And you could take Walsh with you? Maybe come back around dinnertime? That should give us enough time for now." Robin nodded his head.

"Yep, sounds great. David's just helping me load this stuff up. Give us maybe fifteen minutes?"

"Alright, I'll help Mare pack up the rest of the food."

"Would you like anything to drink? Soda, water? Juice, gin? Red, white?" Regina called out to her sister as she finished putting away that last few remnants of food from the gender reveal party. Zelena's hesitant footsteps followed her into the kitchen.

"Um, maybe some red wine?"

"Great!" Regina exclaimed as she brought out two glasses and popped the cork on the Malbec she pulled from the liquor cabinet.

"You're having a drink too?"

"Yeah, it's totally fine!"

"Um, alright."

"Now that that's settled, why don't we head into the den and sit, hmm?" Zelena nodded her head as Regina handed her her glass and went through the kitchen door to the den. They both situated themselves on the sofa, Regina in the corner with her legs drawn underneath her. She knew she would have to change position soon, but for now this suited her.

Now that they were seated, an awkward silence descended upon the estranged sisters. They each took a slow sip of their wine before settling the glasses in their hands. They stared at each other, sizing each other up. Zelena takes in her sister's pregnant appearance. Regina studies her sister's face, traces of aging settled on her features and trying to decide if the bright shiny red hair was a dye job or her natural hair color. Regina then placed her wine glass onto the coffee table and then stretched her legs out in front of her towards Zelena on the opposite side of the sofa.

"Could you be a dear and put that pillow underneath my calves?" Zelena nodded and did as her sister requested. "Now, tell me, dear sis, how did Mary – Margaret manage to get you up here? And on such short notice?"

"Well, right into it then?"

"Might as well get this over with now, it'll be easier."

"Right, well, actually I was thinking of visiting anyway, come visit the family mausoleum, visit with mother. I miss her terribly. And then I got to thinking of you and how we really don't talk to one another for some strange reason I can't quite figure out, but now that we're older I think it's time to set aside our grievances." Regina nodded her head and readjusted herself. She pursed her lips, as if in deep reverent thought.

"Hmmm, I suppose."

"You're remarried now. You seem happier now."

"I am; I am so so very happy," she responded with a slight grin. "And you? Are you happy?"

"Overall, yes."

"Overall?"

"Well, life hasn't exactly been fair to me."

"Oh, here we go again."

"No, no, hear me out, please? This is why we're talking, yeah? To get it all out? No judging. Just truly listening to each other for once in our lives." Regina tilted her head and nodded for her sister to continue. "Now, as I was saying, life hasn't exactly been fair to me. We didn't know each other existed until I was eleven years old and you were seven. I'm not sure what is was like for you when that happened, but I was ecstatic. I was finally going to get to know the mother I never knew I had. And then I found out she had a whole 'nother family. Another husband and another daughter. Where did I fit in? She wasn't exactly mother of the year either. But I so desperately wanted her love. However she was willing to offer it, I would take it. It's what you do when you're desperate for affection and love. A single father is not a nurturer. My father did his best, but you really need two parents." Regina sighed and nodded, urging Zelena to continue. "So we had a tumultuous childhood together, and tumultuous teens and we eventually decided that there was no way we would ever be able to tolerate each other unless mother made us. I married Walsh. I thought mother would be proud, glad I found a husband as great as he. Then you married Daniel."

"Well, she wasn't exactly over the moon about Daniel," Regina interjected.

Zelena tilted her head down and smirked. "No, no she wasn't. But you followed your heart, you married for love."

"You don't love Walsh?"

"Not at first. Love came later. I know he loved me long before I had the courage to love him properly. I didn't know what love was, how to give it or how to receive it. For some strange crazy reason we stuck through it. And now that we somewhat have our lives together we decided to have a child." Regina let out a gasp. Tears pricked the edges of her eyes, uncertain where this conversation might go.

"Oh, don't worry, we haven't been trying very long. I must say though, when Mary – Margaret called to say she was throwing you a gender reveal party I was angry, at first. I knew how much trouble you'd gone through to conceive Henry and then trying to get pregnant again and then everything else that happened, shocked was the next emotion. I was truly surprised you remarried and it's barely your first anniversary and you're already expecting." Regina nodded her head and wiped the tears that fell from her eyes. Talking about Daniel always made her emotional and her wacky hormones certainly did her no favors.

"Believe you me, this baby was nowhere on our list of things to do as a married couple." Zelena drew her head back.

"No?"

"No, complete and utter surprise."

"How did you find out?"

"Mary – Margaret."

"No! How did she know before you?"

"Well, she suspected I might be pregnant, then tricked me into taking a pregnancy test and withheld the results from me. After finding out, I stressed myself out so much making sure everything was okay with the baby before announcing we were pregnant. We announced it at the Christmas get together we had."

"Oh, the one I wasn't invited to."

"Well, sorry about that. It was our first Christmas together, I was really nervous about it all and you're not really that big into Christmas anyway." Zelena nodded, pursed her lips and glanced away. She took another sip from her glass.

"That may be very well true, but you should still invite someone regardless of whether or not you'll think they'll come."

"I'm sorry, but listen, you're here now and you said you wanted to get everything out without judgment, so that's what we're doing, right?"

"Right. Okay. So, tell me, when are you due?"

"I'm due the twenty – second of June."

"Oh, good, that's not too far away. Are you doing well?"

"Yeah, yeah, other than a slight scare earlier on, everything's actually been pretty great!"

"A slight scare?"

"Yeah, round ligament pain. You'd think I knew how that felt given it's not my first pregnancy."

"Well, different strokes for different folks."

"Mmmm."

"How is everything else coming along? Do you have the nursery set up?"

Regina nodded her head. "Yep, Robin finished painting a most beautiful mural a few weeks ago and he moved the furniture around a bit. I think it's all coming along nicely. We just need a crib mattress and I need to get all the clothes washed and put away," she chuckled, "and believe it or not, I was thinking about cloth diapers, so I've been researching different brands. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Oh, asking me for baby advice now?"

"Well, you are a midwife, right?"

"I suppose I am. I don't dispense advice for free, ya know. Everything comes with a price."

"Oh? And what is yours?" Regina narrowed her eyes as she took another sip of her wine.

"A clean slate." Regina quirked her eyebrow, almost choking on her swallow of wine.

"A clean slate?"

"Yes, as sisters, as family, like we should be. We need to call each other at least once a week, just to check in on each other, make sure our sanity is still intact. We need to visit with each other at least twice a year, I come here, you head out to Kansas. Does this sound okay?" Regina slowly nodded her head as she considered her sister's 's not sure what's responsible for the turn around in her sister's behavior, she's actually quite wary, but since the woman is offering an olive branch, who is she to refuse?

"Okay, I don't think those demands are too hard to meet."

"Demands?"

"Well, yeah."

"Okay, alright." Zelena sat up, moving herself closer to Regina and extended her hand. Regina sat puzzled for a moment before extending her hand and shaking it. Then Zelena drew Regina's hand closer to her so she could envelop her in a hug. They both sat there in that embrace for quite some time, each shedding tears for only their hearts knew what. But it was welcoming, it was therapeutic. It was as if all the years they spent hating each other seemed to wash away.

The embracing sisters is how Robin and Walsh found them upon their return to the house. It seems giving them time alone together wasn't such a bad idea as both men surmised. They directed the boys towards the kitchen so they could eat dinner. Zelena and Regina joined them shortly after. They all dined together and carried on conversation as if it were a family dinner they had every Sunday evening.

After dinner Regina, along with Zelena, went on about the family's night time routine while Robin and Walsh relaxed in the den with beer.

"Well those two seem to be getting along," Zelena commented.

"Was there any doubt they would get along?" Regina responded as she pulled the shirt from Roland's head. The little boy grinned up at Regina and she bopped him on the nose. "Think you can finish getting undressed while I run your bath?" Roland nodded his head and stood up from his bed to pull off his pants. Zelena followed Regina down the hall towards the hallway bathroom the boys shared. Regina paused in front of Henry's doorway. "Henry, dear, please take the dog out and then put her in the crate when you return, okay? Roland should be finished with his bath and then you can take your shower, okay?"

"Sure mom," Henry responded as he hopped off his bed and sprinted down the hallway to retrieve the dog.

"So, have you decided where you guys want to stay tonight? Granny's or here?" Zelena chuckled. "What?" Regina responded, surprise evident in her voice.

"Is there room for us?"

"Sure there is! There's my office downstairs. There's a fold out sofa in there."

"Is it comfortable?"

"Oh, yes indeed it is," Regina, her voice dropping an octave.

"Eww," Zelena gave a wave of her hand, "I don't wanna know how you know that."

"Let's just say there was a broken AC last summer and it gets hot upstairs."

"I suppose if you don't mind the extra company Walsh and I have no problem staying here with you guys."

"Great! And you can watch the boys while we're at work."

"I beg your pardon?"

"It's Spring Break this week. They'll love to bond with you two! Get in some practice for when you have kids."

"Thanks, you're so considerate," Zelena responded, voice dripping in sarcasm. Regina pulled herself to her feet after testing the water she drew for Roland's bath. She smiled and reached out a hand to stroke Zelena's arm.

"I'm really, really glad you came," she said, offering a smile. Zelena returned the gesture.

"I'm really, really glad I came as well."

I decided to introduce Zelena into the storyline. I'm excited about writing this relationship into the storyline and I hope you are too! Seeya next chapter!