My Royal Christmas

Chapter 5 The Test

The day that I dreaded the most has arrived. I was up at three o'clock in the morning with too many thoughts going through my head. What if Hope turned out to be mine? What does this mean? Emma and I had no relations, so how could she have had a baby for me? What if we did do something, but we don't remember? Who could have taken our memories from it? How will Emma and I work out sharing time with Hope? Then it dawned on me, what if Hope is Hook's baby? All I know is, Hook will have a lot of apologizing and making amends to do. Damn, now I understand how Hook feels. These feelings are for the birds! I finished writing a decree to be read throughout the realms about the Christmas Eve Ball this evening. The Musketeers took it and began making their travel to read it. There was a knock on my office door, and I looked up to see who it was.

"Are you ready to go to StoryBrooke Hospital?" Henry questioned leaning on the door frame like Emma always did when I was the Mayor.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

He walked up to me as I stood up and buttoned my coat that matches my pantsuit. He took me into an embrace, and I accepted him with open arms.

"Nervous?"

I sighed, "Terrified. Fear of the unknown. Oh, Henry, how can Hope be mine? Emma and I didn't…"

"I know, mom. Magic could play a huge part in that right?"

My eyes widened. All I know is that Emma has a lot of explaining to do.

-StoryBrooke General Hospital-

Emma, Hope, and Hook were waiting in the waiting room for me to arrive. When I walked in, I heard Hook's crude remark.

"Her Majesty, Hope's other mum, has arrived."

I was fuming. "I could throw you in the dungeon for speaking ill of your Queen."

"That's enough!" Emma attempted to keep the peace. "Can we at least be somewhat civil? Today is Christmas Eve, and we need to celebrate the wonderful memories we made this year not arguing about something we don't know."

A female nurse named Abby walked in. "Hope Swan-Jones and family."

We followed her into a room to get the blood work started. Emma sat down in a chair with Hope, while Hook and I sat in the chairs to get our blood drawn. A pediatric nurse came in to draw some blood from Hope. When the needle pricked her arm, she started screaming, and I turned to see her disappear in a cloud of lilac smoke. My eyes widened. It can't be. She appeared in my free arm while my right had a needle in it.

"Shh, it's alright. See, I am getting stuck with a needle, too. It will be just fine."

The nurse came and was successful in taking blood this time. Hook looked at Emma, and I could tell he was pissed. I am so thankful that we are going to settle this once and for all.

"Alright your Majesty, you are done."

I stood up and gave Hope back to Emma. "I need to get back to the castle so I can finalize everything for the Christmas Eve ball this evening."

Hope began to scream some more, and Emma suggested, "Why don't you take Hope with you? She wants to spend time with her godmother."

I smiled as I waited for Emma to place her in her car seat. "I would love to take my goddaughter with me. She can help me with the final preparations."

Hook rolled his eyes. Oh, how I wish I could fry his ass to a crisp! I took the car seat, looked down at my smiling little sweetheart, and smiled.

"Why don't we take a faster way and we will beat Bubby to the castle?"

She smiled so big that I took it to mean yes. I waved my hand, and purple smoke enveloped us to carry us to the castle.

-My Castle-

Hope and I arrived at the palace to see the workers in such havoc. I set the car seat down, took Hope out of it, and made it disappear into my bedroom. We decided to check up in the ballroom. Snow was talking to the musicians while I was taking in all the beautiful Christmas décor up to the beautiful Christmas tree. Hope made a noise with her tongue, and I looked down at her.

"And what is at your disapproval, my little princess?"

She pointed, and I walked in the direction she was pointing in. I walked up to a table, and she placed her tiny hand on mine.

"What's the matter?"

What happened next, I'm still shocked. It was like a movie flashed in my mind. Hope showed me what was not right with the table. The pattern of the Christmas ornaments was off. I used my magic to fix the red gold red gold gold pattern back to red gold red gold. Hope made an adorable little noise signaling her approval.

"Regina."

I turned around, and Snow walked up to me. "Regina, what are you doing?"

"Hope and I are giving our final inspection to see if everything is ready for this evening."

She began pushing me toward the door. "Oh no, you leave that to me. Go enjoy some quality time with your goddaughter."

"But…"

"Regina, it's alright. I got this."

I sighed in defeat and looked down at the adorable little girl in my arms. "How about we go to the kitchen to check up on the food for this evening?"

She made a little coo then I walked toward the kitchen. As we walked to the kitchen, Hope was admiring the Christmas decorations. I just realized that it would be her first Christmas with us. What a wonderful celebration that will be!