Goodness, time got away from me! I took an impromptu birthday trip to Vancouver earlier this month when they happened to be filming in Steveston. It wasn't as magical as I thought it would be because they had us standing so far away, but a few of the actors came over to speak to us and pose for some pictures and that was pretty amazing. Enjoy this next chapter!

"Will she be here soon?" a voice asked in a hushed whisper.

"Why are you whispering? I'm not sure when she's going to show up. Robin is taking her out in celebration for coming off of bed rest. He knows to bring her here."

"Won't she be suspicious?"

"Hmmm, maybe, but she knows this is happening, she just doesn't know when."

"Oh, I see."

"Right, now help me pin this banner, you're taller than I am."

"Hmmmm, yes I am."

"Alright you two, I got the food. Leroy's helping me bring it in. Where d'ya want it?"

"Oh, Emma, thanks for picking it up! Um, let me and Zelena finish hanging this sign and then we can arrange the tables on the side maybe?"

"Huh, for someone who likes to plan you sure as shit didn't plan this out very well," Emma sighed as she walked over to the long tables that were haphazardly situated in the middle of the banquet hall.

"I'll have you know this is very well planned out, I even got Regina's input. Unfortunately it all hinged on her being released from bed rest, thank you very much." Mary – Margaret huffed out as she tied her side of the banner over where Robin and Regina would sit during the baby shower.

"We couldn't have done this outside like we did with the gender reveal?"

"No, Regina said she'd be too hot. Didn't want to risk overheating or anything that might put her back in the hospital."

"Right, okay. Are we gonna put tablecloths over the food table?"

"Hey, sister! I don't have all afternoon! Can I start bringing this stuff in?" Leroy shouted from the entranceway.

"Huh? Uh, yeah, come on in! We were arranging the tables to put the food on," Emma responded as she started walking towards Leroy.

"Well where are we supposed to put this if the tables aren't set up?"

"Just put them on the round tables there. We'll get the long tables set and then re arrange everything over there."

"Uh – uh, you didn't ask if we could do all that. You just asked if we could help carry this stuff in."

"Well, you are staying for the actual shower, right?"

"Why would we do that?"

"Remember that little pot we had going a while back?"

"For guessing the sex?"

"Yeah,"

"What of it? The baby's not here yet."

"Well, participants must be present to win."

"Look, I seriously doubt Regina's gonna let us in the delivery room with her."

"Well, duh, but you must participate in all baby – related activities, and really, this is the only one you've had to attend. And whom would she thank for the awesome gift if you're not here?" Leroy rolled his eyes. Emma sure could be persuasive.

"Alright, alright, I give. But I need to take a quick shower and stuff so let's make this snappy." Emma leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheeks with a big smack of her lips and ruffled the top of his head.

"Right this way!" She motioned with her hand indicating a round table closest to the long tables they would use for the food. Leroy and the rest of his buddies brought in the food pans, cake and the rest of the decorations Emma picked up at the party store. David and Emma also brought in the big present that everyone had chipped in to purchase. Everyone wasted no time in putting the finishing touches in the banquet hall. Now all they had to do was sit and wait for the rest of the guests to show up. And, their guests of honor.

Tap. Tap, tap. Tap. Tappity tap tap. Someone was tapping on her nose. She scrunched her face and swatted the hand away, groaning out as she shifted her body on the cushions and pillows positioned around her body. A few minutes passed and she settled back, snores emanating from her position in the sofa bed. A warm breath ghosted across the back of her neck, wet kisses working their way around; her neck, her jawline, and finally her lips. Her eyes slowly blinked opened to behold her husband who seemed a bit too cheery.

"Robin," she groaned as she shifted her position, "go away." A chuckle escaped his lips. He rubbed her back.

"Awww, come on love. I thought you'd be excited about today."

"Excited? What's there to be excited about? Just another day spent in the confines of the sofa bed. Do you at least have breakfast ready? And where are the boys?"

"You can't have breakfast this morning. You can have thirty – two ounces of water. Mary – Margaret came by an hour ago to pick up the boys." Regina seemed more alert, pushing herself into a sitting position, a scowl darkening her features as she rubbed the side of her head.

"What do you mean I can't have breakfast and all I can have is thirty – two ounces of water?"

"Wow, this bed rest really has boggled your mind, hasn't it?" Regina looked up sternly at her husband. He put his hands up in defense. "Hey, stop that scowling! We're going to the doctor today, remember? So you can get cleared from bed rest?" Realization dawned Regina's features.

"That's right, that is today, isn't it?" Robin nodded his head.

"Yep, so here's your water, drink up, drink up! We'll get to see how the baby's doing! And I thought maybe you'd like to get out and go for a drive, maybe stop and have some lunch out of the house?" Regina leaned forward to encircle her husband's waist.

"That sounds most wonderful. I'll take a quick shower. You'll straighten up down here?" Robin placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"Yep, you got it!" Regina held out her hands for Robin to help her off the sofa. He pulled her to her feet. She straightened her sleeping gown and waddled, actually waddled up the stairs. She groaned as she hauled herself up the stairs.

"Oh my god, I feel like I've gained ten pounds from this bed rest," she shouted down the stairs.

"Well good, the doctor said you needed to gain some weight babe," Robin shouted back her. Robin could hear his wife growling. "What did you say?"

"I said you got me this way."

"It takes two to make a baby, love."

"Oh shit," Robin appeared behind his wife up at the top of stairs. "Robin, what the hell is wrong with you?" Regina said as she slapped Robin's chest. "You scared me!"

"Sorry love I couldn't really hear what you were grumbling."

"I was not grumbling."

"Fine, complaining."

"Argh. Are you done straightening up downstairs?"

"Why yes, yes I am." Regina narrowed her eyes.

"You've folded the sheets, folded the sofa bed, and replaced all the cushions on the couch?"

"Of course, love. It takes you a little longer to climb the stairs nowadays."

"It almost certainly does not." Robin let out a chuckle and kissed his wife's cheek, which she was quick to rebuff as they finally arrived at the master bedroom.

Forty minutes later found Regina gulping the last bit of water in the car ride over to the doctor's office. She tried real hard to quell the giddiness rising within her despite the anxiety of possibly more bed rest threatening to overtake her. Settling in those two weeks had been difficult. She finally finished the edits on the last book but she still needed to discuss layouts and book cover designs and well that was just hard for her to do not in the office.

"Alright, we're here," Robin looked over at his wife, tears glistening in both their eyes. He held his right hand up, resting it on the center console, waiting for Regina to grasp. She stares hesitantly into his eyes for a few seconds before she realizes his silent request. She grasps his hand in return, a smile that turned into a silent chuckle danced across her features.

"Let's do this." With a prompt nod of his head, Robin let go of her hand and swiftly exited the car, rounding the back before Regina could even make motions to exit the car herself. He dutifully held out his hands for her to swing her legs out of the car and hoist herself into a standing position. Robin shut the door behind her, hitting the alarm button on keys and tucked her right arm under his.

They slowly ambled their way to the entrance of the office. Regina took a seat in the waiting room while Robin signed her in. He joined her shortly thereafter. Again Robin reached for her hand, tucking it into his lap rubbing lightly every so often. Regina simply sat back in the chair and dozed lightly, comforted by the ministrations from her husband's hand on hers. Restless after fifteen minutes or so, Robin began bouncing his leg up and down. Regina cracked one of her eyes open.

"Dear, please stop, you're making me antsy."

"Sorry love, can't help it. I'm excited."

"Great, glad you're excited," Regina responded as she closed her eyes once more.

"Aren't you excited? We get to see the baby, check on how it's doing. Go out for lunch, just the two of us. A little us time before things get really chaotic?" Regina sighed a long sigh.

"After I empty my bladder I'm sure I'll share in your excitement. Right now I'm trying to concentrate really hard on not peeing on myself. I really should've worn a panty liner today."

"Panty liner? I thought you wore those when you were on your period?"

"Well, in general yes. Sometimes women have leakage not related to periods. And sometimes pregnant women leak fluids, especially when their bladder is full and there's a fetus resting comfortably, or in Squishy's case right now, bouncing on it." Regina shut her eyes. A grimace passed across her features as she adjusted herself in the seat. She pulled her hand from Robin's grip to rub circles on her belly. "Baby, I'm glad you find my nice full bladder super comfortable but you could please not bounce on it right now?" Robin chuckled. He joined his hand with his wife's. She gripped it with hers and resumed the placating circles.

Ten more minutes passed and Regina was really getting antsy.

"Robin, could you go see what's taking so long? Emphasize my extremely full bladder when you go up there, okay?"

"Yep, right, I can do that," he replied, standing and placing a kiss on her temple before heading to the check in desk. "Um, hi, hello…"

The receptionist looked up when Robin approached the desk.

"Shelly. How can I help you?"

"Hi Shelly. Listen, me and my wife have been waiting for about thirty minutes to see Dr. Campbell. She's consumed about thirty – two ounces of water and isn't sure how much longer she can hold it."

"Oh, okay, let me just check to see what's going on. Are you here for an ultrasound?"

"Well, yeah. She had an episode of pre – term labor about two weeks ago and she's here to get checked. We're hoping she can come off bed rest."

"Kay, let me see if they can just go ahead and do the ultrasound while you wait for the doctor. How does that sound?"

"That sounds fine I guess."

"Great, take a seat and hopefully they'll call you back in a few more minutes, alright?" Robin nodded his head and headed back to his seat. Regina paused the breathing exercise she was employing to focus on not peeing herself when she felt Robin sit down next to her. She quirked an eye open.

"What'd they say?"

"She's gonna check to see if we can do the ultrasound first."

"Oh, okay." Robin grabbed Regina's hands and pulled them into his lap, rubbing circles in an effort to comfort her. The nervousness was radiating off her in waves. Her behavior was certainly a departure from earlier in the morning. A few moments passed before the door to the back opened and the Medical Assistant called out for Regina. Regina looked to Robin and he helped her out of her seat and guided her to the door. They by-passed the weigh – in and restroom. The Medical Assistant escorted them directly to the ultrasound suite and got Regina situated on the exam table.

"Jean will be in shortly to check everything and then we'll set you up in an exam room."

"Will I be able to use the restroom first?" Regina queried as she worked her shirt up over her bump and arranged the towel over her pants.

"Oh, yes, of course! And we still need to get your weight."

"Gee, thanks for reminding me of that," Regina grumbled. Robin smirked at his wife and she swatted his arm as the Medical Assistant exited the room. Regina then reached for Robin's hand once again. He took her hand in his and resumed rubbing circles, providing whatever comfort his wife was seeking from this simple embrace.

"Alright, Mrs. Mills – Hood?" a bright and breezy brunette bounced into their room, interrupting their private moment. Regina cleared her throat, never once removing her hand from Robin's grasp.

"Yes, that's me." The woman had Regina's chart in hand and flipped through the first few pages before setting it down on the counter, taking a seat on the rolling stool.

"Alright, what brings you in today?" The woman asked as she adjusted knobs on the machine.

"We're here for a two – week check following threatened pre – term labor," Robin interjected before Regina could even take a breath to respond. A smile appeared on her lips as she looked from her husband towards the sonographer.

"Okay, great! Then let's get you checked, shall we? How far along are you now?"

"About thirty – four weeks," Regina responded as she pulled her shirt up even further so that now it rested atop her breasts. The ultrasound machine whirred to life and the sonographer squirted the conduction gel onto Regina's lower, eliciting a hiss.

"Sorry, someone forgot to turn on the warmer, you're my first patient for today," Jean responded as she began moving the wand around Regina's belly, pausing every few moments to take measurements. The room had gone deathly quiet. Robin's hand startled Regina out of her thoughts and he offered her a small smile.

"Welp, everything looks okay here, wanna hear the heartbeat while I print some images out?" Robin and Regina nodded their head vigorously. After selecting a few buttons, a whooshing noise could be heard. Jean held the wand to Regina's belly for a few moments for the parents and then she withdrew, handing Regina another towel so she could wipe off the gel. "Alright, here are some images. I'm going to take these to Dr. Campbell. I'll send Aurora back here and she can get you settled into an exam room."

"Um, is everything okay?" Jean offered a small smile.

"I can't really say. I'll have to let the doctor take a look at the measurements and images. Right now I don't see anything to be too worried about, okay? Just relax."

"Yeah, well you try to relax with this full bladder," Regina grumbled out as she pulled down her shirt. Jean let out a soft chuckle.

"I understand. I'll get Aurora and she'll take you to the restroom and hopefully you'll be on your way shortly, okay?" Regina begrudgingly nodded her head as Robin helped her sit up on the exam table. Jean left the exam room with Regina's chart in hand. Regina swung her legs to one side of the exam table so she was facing Robin. He took both her hands in his and pulled himself closer to her. She gazed up into his eyes as he found hers and gazed lovingly into them. They both let out tentative sighs of relief that Squishy seemed alright. They would have to wait for the doctor's official decree, but they were sure Jean wouldn't have told them anything if there was truly something to be worried about. Robin leaned forward and pressed his forehead to Regina's. They stayed like that for a few moments before a soft knock could be heard on the exam room's door.

"Hey guys, I hear someone is in need of the facilities?" Aurora offered a warm smile. Regina broke apart from Robin and pulled herself off the exam table.

"Desperately," she stated. Robin had never seen his pregnant wife move as fast as she did in that moment. She waddled out of the room and down the hall towards the restrooms, Aurora hot on her heels.

"Wait, here's a cup for a urine sample!" Aurora yells after her right as she was about to disappear into the restroom. Regina rolled her eyes.

"Seriously? I can barely see past this belly," she motions wildly, "and you expect me to get pee into that cup?" Robin chuckles, shifting his wife's belongings into his left arm.

"Hang on there love, I'll help you." Regina looked pointedly at him.

"I'm probably going to get pee on your hands."

"That's alright, won't be the first time and probably won't be the last," he chuckles as he motions for her to continue ahead of him into the restroom.

"Uh, here are some gloves if you'd like. I'll be out here waiting," Aurora hands Robin the urine container and a pair of exam gloves.

Once Robin shuts the door behind him, Regina busies herself wiping down the toilet seat and placing a seat cover over the lid. She pulls her pants and panties down and stares pointedly at Robin with her hands on her hips.

"I need the cleansing wipes," she tells him. He looks around because he isn't quite sure what she's talking about. "They're on the stand by the door. Hurry up, I really really need to pee." Robin nods his head in understanding. He grabs the tiny packet, opens it and hands the wipe to his wife who hastily wipes herself. She takes a deep breath. "Right, now how do you want to do this?"

"Um, well I'm not exactly sure what's supposed to be happening," Robin admits as he walks further towards his wife.

"Well, I think it'll be best if I sit all the way down. I'll pee a little bit, stop and then you'll have to stick the cup somewhere in the vicinity of the urine stream and I'll start peeing again. Try to get as much as you can in the container, okay?" Robin nods his head. "Do you want to put on the gloves now?" Robin nods his head and puts on the gloves as Regina sits herself on the toilet. Robin squats down in front of her. She leans forward slightly, bracing herself on Robin's shoulders. "Are you ready?" Robin nods his head and waits for Regina to start peeing. He hears a couple of hesitant drops hit the water. She looks up at him and nods her head; he places the cup in between her legs and she resumes urinating. "Okay, I think that's enough sample. Move." Robin quickly retracts his hand and cup from in between his wife's legs. She relaxes onto the toilet seat and finishes urinating, letting out a sigh of pleasure. Robin chuckles.

"I didn't get too much on your hands, did I?" Regina questions as she wipes and gets off the toilet. Robin shakes his head.

"No, not too much. I've got the gloves, right?" Regina shakes her head and moves towards him, offering to take the container from him.

"Right, now let's wipe this down and make sure the lid is screwed on properly. You go wash your hands." Regina cocks her head towards the sink as she wipes the cup, closes the lid and writes her name and birthdate on the outside of the container. By the time she's done with that it's her turn to wash her hands at the sink. "Now, let's go see about my coming off of bed rest, shall we?" Robin nods his head and they both exit the restroom to find Aurora patiently standing by.

"All goods guys?" she asks. They both nod their heads. "Great, we'll test your urine and get the results to Dr. Campbell and she should be with you shortly," she states as she leads them down the hall to another exam room. Robin lets Regina take the lead, holding his hand in support on her lower back. He helps her onto the exam table and stands close by while Aurora takes Regina's blood pressure and temperature.

"Alright, are there any other issues you wish to discuss with Dr. Campbell?" Robin and Regina look at each other. She reaches out for his hand and shakes her head, sighing.

"Nope, just anxious to see how the baby's doing and if I can come off of bed rest." Aurora nods her head.

"Right, well just sit tight, we'll return shortly." Robin brings Regina's hand to his lips and peppers kisses over her knuckles. She concentrates on her husband's ministrations for a few moments before she withdraws her hand and leans into him. He wraps his arms around her, holding her in embrace until they hear a knock on the door and suddenly Dr. Campbell is standing in the room with Aurora close by, flipping through her chart.

"Ahh, the Mills – Hood. How are you guys doing?"

"Great, we're good, just anxious."

"Understandable," Dr. Campbell shakes her head. "Alright Regina, why don't you lie back and I'll do a quick exam, okay?" Regina nods her head and Robin helps her recline on the exam table, lifting her shirt up to expose her belly once more. After a few moments Dr. Campbell steps away and makes a few notes in her chart. "Well I've looked over your ultrasound and baby looks good. It's head down so that's a good sign. Your urine was negative so that's also good. Your Group B strep culture was negative so we won't have to worry about giving you antibiotics during delivery. Have you been experiencing any more contractions or back pain?"

"Nope, nothing since we left the hospital," Regina shakes her head, absorbing all the information the doctor was telling her.

"Good, good. One last thing, I want to check to see if you're dilated, okay?" Regina nodded her head once more. "Alright, we'll step out so you can undress waist down."

Robin helped Regina climb off the exam table and step out of her pants. Her stomach let out a soft rumble as he helped pull them down. Regina chuckled softly and rubbed circles on her belly.

"Is someone hungry?" Robin asked as he helped her back onto the table.

"Yes, someone's daddy wouldn't let them eat this morning," she replied with a grin.

"Welp as soon as we're done here you want to head over to Granny's? Have some pancakes?" Regina reached out and pulled Robin close, wrapping her arms around him, gazing into his eyes.

"That sound mouthwateringly awesome. Could we call ahead so the food's ready and waiting?"

"I think that can be arranged," Robin said with a peck to her lips. A soft knock and opening of the door had the couple pulling apart. Regina reached for the paper coverup and Robin helped her recline onto the exam table.

"Alrighty, feet up," Dr. Campbell commanded as she snapped on her exam gloves. After a few tense moments she finished the exam, snapping off her gloves. "Alright you can put your legs down. You don't appear to be dilated, but I still want you to come back in two weeks and then weekly checks after that? Alright? "

"Okay. Do you think I'll make it to term?"

"Given the premature labor scare I'm not sure you'll make it to term. I still want you to limit your movement as much as possible. I'll feel more confident once you make it to thirty – six weeks."

"Does that mean I'm still on bed rest?" Regina asked with a plaintive sigh.

"I'll take you off of bed rest, but if you decide to return to work maybe discuss lightening your workload? No heels, no standing on your feet for long periods of time. Resting with your feet up, all that good stuff? Do you think your manager would be able accommodating?"

"He should be," Regina responded.

"If not I'll give him a talking to," Robin chimed in, rubbing his wife's shoulders. Regina offers him a smirk and whack to his hands.

"Mr. Gold is strangely overprotective of me, almost like a father. I don't think we'll have anything to worry about. If I can get all those things worked out, I can return to work?"

"I don't see why not. Now, here are some more ultrasound pics. Aurora will see you out and I'll see you back in two weeks, okay?" Robin and Regina both nodded their heads. They turned towards each other and rested their foreheads together for a few moments before another rumble of Regina's belly reminded them both she had yet to eat that morning. Robin let out a chuckle.

"Alright, alright, we heard you five minutes ago. I wonder where this kid gets its patience from. I don't think it's Daddy." Robin grins out as he pulls Regina to her feet so she can get dressed.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" She responds as she pulls on her clothes.

"Nothing, love," Robin responds with a kiss to her forehead before squatting down to help her put on her shoes. "Now, all ready to go?" Regina nodded her head. They exited the exam room and headed towards the front of the medical office.

"Hey guys, Dr. Campbell wants you back in two weeks. Would you like morning or afternoon?"

Regina looks at Robin, a sly grin plastered on her face. "Are you going to want to come? Or can I come by myself?"

"Well, I would like to join you but if you'd prefer to not have me there then don't worry about if I can make it or not."

"It's not that, it'll just be a quick check to see if I'm dilating or not. If there's anything different I'll let you know. You've already taken time off since this whole thing started. These weekly checks are the normal part of pregnancy and Daddy doesn't always have to come."

"Alright, you'll call as soon as you're done?"

"Scouts' honor," Regina says with a nod of her head. She turns towards the receptionist. "I'll take a mid – morning appointment." Then she turns her head to her husband. "Then we can meet for lunch after that and I'll tell you all about the appointment. Deal?" Robin leaned forward to capture her lips in a quick kiss. "I'll take that as a yes."

The receptionist chuckled as she filled out the appointment card and handed it to Regina. Finally they could enjoy what little bit of time left they had of her pregnancy and hopefully the next event would be welcoming their child into the world.

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