Disclamer: I own nothing just the idea of the story. I have never had a baby before so Im not sure what the protocols are for after you have baby so this is just my inturpation of what would go on in a storybook hospital. I hope you enjoy !
"You know I'll be ok if this is Robin's baby, he is your true love and all and it would make so much more since for her to be his than her to be mine. The time is rightish, he was still around nineish months ago."
"I have no doubt in my mind that this baby is yours, Emma. And sure Robin is my true love but with everything that happened with Zelena and the baby and then Camelot and you and hook being the dark one. Then the stupid Fury killing Robin. We just did not have time to reacquaint ourselves with one another. And then we were going to hell to try and get hook back and obviously that didn't work." Regina said with a bit of bitterness in her voice. She paused to take a few calming breaths. "Look, I thought when you told your parents that they were grandparents again that you would want hard evidence to support your claim. Because, while your parents and I have been getting along recently, that does not mean that old feelings won't come back because of this."
"When are you going to see that they no longer see you as the Evil Queen but as just Regina? It's been almost five years since the curse has been broken. A lot has happened since then Regina. I mean we rescued Henry from Neverland, found our true loves, stopped your sister, became the dark one, went to Camelot, un-became the dark one, went to hell, we lost our true loves…" Emma faded off with tears coming to her eyes thinking about the loss of Killian. How he gave his life so she could live.
Regina was thinking along the same lines as Emma. Wondering where her thief could be right this moment. Wondering if he found peace or if he was still in hell. But that was almost a full year ago and Regina has long since then given up hope that her little family would ever be whole again.
But looking up into Emma's tear filled eyes, realization washed over her and she saw all the love that Emma had there, she just knew that her family has always been whole with or without Robin and Roland because she has Henry and Emma and now their new baby girl.
Finding it within herself Emma continued, "You have changed so much since the day I met you Regina. It's like you're another person and if people can't see that change, then fuck them because they are not worth your time or mine. That goes for my parents to."
At hearing this, Regina had to intervene. "Emma, you can't just write your parents off if they don't take this news well. Hell, I'm still in shock about it and I'm the one who pushed her out!" she said slightly hysterical. With a few calming breaths she continued, "I get what you're trying to say though, and you're right, a lot has happened and we can't ignore all that has changed…. I guess I'm just trying to say that old habits die hard. So just tell your parents gently if you would. Please." She finished with a pleading look on her face.
"Ok I will do my best not to blurt it out to them when I see them tomorrow after dropping Henry off at school."
"Thank you."
"But before I tell them anything we need to give this little girl a name." Emma said looking down at her supposed blue eyed daughter who had so much brunette hair that the nursing staff tied a pink bow in it. "Don't we, cause we can't just call you Mills baby for the rest of your life now can we?" she said in a baby voice.
"Mills? I would have thought you would want to have her last name be Swan-Mills."
"I'm tired of complicated. It's just easier to have one last name than two. Plus that would be a mouthful to try and yell when she gets in trouble. Could you imagine?" Emma replied while laughing. "Plus I don't see anything wrong with your last name."
"We will see about that," Regina said skeptically. Emma was about to ask her what that meant when her phone rang. Handing the baby off to Regina she fished her phone out of her pocket and answered.
"Hey, mom. What's up"
"Emma, hey! So I'm about to drop Henry off does Regina need anything from home?"
"Hey what do you want from home? Snow is going to get it for you so Henry can bring it up with him when he gets here." Emma asked Regina.
"Some pajamas and a set of regular clothes I guess."
"She said that she wants a change of clothes and pj's"
"Okay we can get that for her. I should be dropping Henry off in like 20 minutes"
"Okay mom sounds good. Let me know when you drop Henry off."
"Can do! Bye sweetheart."
"bye"
Just as Emma hung up her phone, Mel walked in the room with a clip bored and said, "Ok so the results of the maternity test are in. And you, Miss Swan, are the other mother of this baby."
"See, I told you she was yours. I mean look at her, she has your eyes and chin," Regina said with a laugh handing the baby back to Emma.
"I guess I just didn't want to get my hopes up just in case," Emma said shyly. Seeing that Emma was uncomfortable, Mel left the room and Regina decided to bring names up again. "So do you have any names in mind?"
"A few I guess. How about you?"
"I have one or two that I like."
"Well I like Jenny."
"No."
"Penny?"
"Ha, never in a million years."
"Hanna?"
"That one is ok I guess, but not for our baby girl."
"Eva?"
"While there is nothing wrong with the name Eva, I will not name my daughter after your grandmother. Who I might add contributed to the start of this whole mess between your mother and me."
"OK, ok calm down we won't name her any of those names. But I like Eva the best. And it has nothing to do with the fact that it was my grandmother's name. For a brief, and when I say brief I mean brief, time I thought I would keep Henry and live happy ever after. Well, in that time I thought I was going to keep him I heard the name Eva on the radio and just thought that would be a pretty name for a baby. I didn't know I was having a boy. But anyway, do you have anything better?"
"I didn't know you wanted to keep Henry?"
"Yeah, like I said it was not for very long. I came to my wits and realized that I was in no position to be keeping a baby. And you didn't answer my question, what's the name you like?"
"I really like the name Aubree. Don't ask me where I heard it from but I can't get it out of my head."
"That's not a horrible name, I still like Eva better," Emma pouted.
Just as Regina was about to reply to Emma, the baby started to cry. Emma thinking that she might have a dirty diaper looked to see if it was in fact dirty, it was clean. "Well you have been sleeping all morning, so you can't be crying cause you're tired, so you must be hungry." Emma said.
"Here, give her to me." Regina said as she brought her gown down to expose her breast. Once she was situated, Emma handed over their daughter to Regina who turned the baby's whole body towards her, so that they were chest to chest. Regina then touched the baby's upper lip with her nipple, and, when she opened her mouth wide, pulled the baby onto her breast, holding her breast for support. Regina could feel that her nipple was far back in the baby's mouth as she started to suck. "See, we don't need help. You and me got this." She said smiling down at her daughter who was now happily sucking away.
"You're a natural." A nurse said, startling both mothers who had been watching their daughter feed. "I was just about to see if you needed any help with breastfeeding but it looks like you have it all under control. Do you have any questions?" Emma's phone beeped with an incoming text so she walked over to the window so she would not disturb Regina and the nurse.
"So this might sound really dumb considering I got her on just fine. But um..." Regina faded out looking down as her cheeks turned pink from embarrassment.
"You want to know how to get her off?" the nurse asked politely in no way judging.
"Yes," Regina nodded looking back up at the nurse.
"All you have to do is stick your finger in the side of the baby's mouth to get the suction to stop." She said as she showed Regina the hand movements. "You should try now while I'm here just in case you can't get her to latch on again."
Regina did what the nurse said and the baby detached from her nipple without fuss. "Ok now you can put her back on." So Regina again did as she did last time and the baby latched on again without a problem. "Looks like you guys got this but in case anything changes, just give me a call." The nurse pulled out her business card and handed it to Emma and left the room. The name on the card read Ann Field. Emma put the card in her pocket for safe keeping.
Regina looked up from the baby to look at Emma. "Where is Henry? He should be here by now? That's what the text was right? Mary Margret letting you know Henry was here?"
"Yes it was and I don't know where he is."
Elsewhere in the hospital
"I'm a big brother!" Henry said to random people on his way to his mom's room. Walking around the corner, Henry saw more people and he was so excited he wanted to tell everyone that he was a big brother. "My mom had a baby! I'm a big brother!" the people he said this to just looked at him strange but Henry didn't mind he just keep roaming the halls of the hospital telling anyone and everyone that he was a big brother. It wasn't until Henry was out of sight that his words really sunk in for the people and so when someone finally stopped Henry to ask him which mom and if it was a boy or girl, the news that Regina Mills had a baby girl spread like wild fire around the hospital.
Henry was making his way down some random hall when he heard, "Henry Mills, please report to the 8th floor nurses station. Henry Mills, 8th floor nurses station. Thank you." Thinking he was in trouble, he made his way to the nearest elevator and took it up to floor 8. Once there he found a nurse's station and said sheepishly "I was paged to a nurse's station but I don't know which one and I don't know how to get to my mom's room from here." A light blush coloring his cheeks.
"Any one of them is fine and I can bring you back to your mom's room. If you would just follow me. My name is Jen, by the way."
"Hi, I'm Henry."
"I know who you are silly, everyone does." Jen said with a laugh. "So um… the staff has been talking and we want to do something nice for your mom. Because from what I understand, she did not know that she was having a baby?"
"Well, as my grandpa always says 'All magic comes with a price!' And I guess the price for having a magical baby is not knowing that you're having said baby." Henry replied with a shrug of his shoulders.
"I guess that makes sense. But anyway, the staff have already gotten your mom balloons and flowers. I think some even got the baby stuffed toys but we want to do something a little extra any ideas?"
"I don't know, my mom is still getting used to the whole 'everyone is being nice to her' thing so I would say just keep being kind even if she gets a little crabby."
Back in Regina's delivery room
"God, I just want to take a shower! Where is he?!" Regina exclaimed.
"Well, you can't shower until you finish feeding Eva and I'll go have the nurse's station page Henry to get his butt up here."
"I really wish you would stop calling her that. We did not agree on that name and can you get me the blanket they had her wrapped in so I can cover myself?" Regina said in a tired tone.
"Yeah and sorry, I just don't like calling her, her. I want to pick a name." Emma said with a sad smile as she handed Regina the blanket. "I'll be right back. I'm going to go have them page Henry again."
"Ok," Regina said as Emma made her way to the door. As she stepped out in the hall, she saw Henry and a nurse walking her way. "Where have you been?!" Emma exclaimed, causing Henry and the nurse to jump. "I didn't come down to get you because I thought you could handle getting up here on your own that didn't mean you could spend an hour wandering around the halls of the hospital! You had us worried sick!" Emma continued as the pair reached her.
Henry, not used to seeing Emma angry, didn't know what to do so he looked down at his shoes. "I'm sorry I was just excited and then I got lost and then I got distracted with telling people I was a big brother and then before I knew it, I really didn't know where I was and they were calling me over the speakers and so I got back to our floor but then I didn't know how to get back here so I asked and Jen..." he looked up long enough to point at the nurse beside him, "brought me back here and I bought mom flowers. They are lilies cause they're her favorite and I managed to find a tank top and loose guy shorts that I know she secretly likes to wear," he said while holding out the white lilies in one hand and a gray tank top with black basketball shorts in the other. "I also got you this gift basket thing cause I know you like the things in it. I'm really sorry I took so long. I just got excited. Also the rest of mom's stuff is in my backpack." Emma took the flowers and clothes so Henry could show her that the basket he got her was filled with a variety of sweets.
"Look kid, I'm sorry I yelled. You just scared us being so long that's all." She replied as she shifted the stuff in her arms so she could pull Henry into her for a hug. "Let's go give these to your mom and," turning to Jen, "thank you for bringing him back here. I didn't mean to scare you earlier."
"It was no problem. If you guys need anything, just let us know and we will be more than happy to help you out." Jen said with a smile and walked away. Turning away, both Emma and Henry enter the room to see Regina putting her gown back in place with the baby securely on her lap. "Henry, where have you been!?"
"Relax, I already yelled at him. You can go take your shower now." Emma said to Regina while walking over to hand her the clothes. "Henry, you want to hold your sister while I make sure your mom doesn't hurt herself getting out of bed?"
"Yeah, that would be awesome!"
"Ok, go sit in the chair and I'll bring her to you." Emma picked up the baby from Regina's lap and put her in Henry's awaiting arms. "Now make sure you support her head."
"Ok, I got it Ma, go help mom. I got my little sis," Henry smiled down at his sister who yawned. Meanwhile, Emma walked back over to Regina who had managed to swing her leg around to the side of the bed.
"You think you got it or do you want help?" Emma asks with her arms out so Regina can take them if she pleases.
"I think I can do it myself but just be there in case my legs decide not to support me." Regina smiled at Emma and scooted off the bed so her feet were touching the floor and with a gentle push up from the bed she was standing on her own between Emma's arms. Looking up and smiling triumphantly at Emma, Regina made a shooing motion with her hands so Emma would get out of her way. With a roll of her eyes, Emma stepped to the side but still stayed close enough that if Regina were to fall, she could still catch her. After taking a few tentative steps, Regina found her legs strong enough to support her and walked confidently the rest of the way to the bathroom.
After ten minutes had past, Emma heard her name being called from the bathroom.
She knocked on the door and when she got no answer she panicked and just walked in. "Hey, what's wrong? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. It's just… um… I don't have a towel and the water is not hot to begin with and its starting to get cold so if you could, you know, poof one up for me that would be great."
"Not that I won't but why can't you just do it yourself?" Emma asked confused as to why she, the novice of the two, had to do the magic performing.
"I can't do magic right now and stay up right. I almost passed out when I tried to do it a minute ago."
"Ok? Are you sure you're ok because now that you mention it, you do look a little white."
"Emma, please, I'm fucking freezing."
"Ok, ok." Emma closed her eyes and opened her hand and imagined a big soft fluffy purple towel. When she opened her eyes said towel was in her hands. Smiling, she opened it up and held it out for Regina to step into. With a smile of her own, Regina gratefully stepped into the towel as Emma started drying her off.
"What are you doing?"
"Drying you off, silly."
"Why?"
"Cause I can and because it's been for ever since I have gotten to be this up close and personal with you," Emma said with a wink.
"I just had a baby and your thinking about sex! Really, Emma?"
"I can't help it. The whole mommy vibe your throwing off right now is incredibly hot." Emma smirked as she slid up Regina's body so she could place a kiss on the brunettes smiling mouth.
"Not that I mind all the kissing and flattery but what does this mean for us, Emma?" Regina asked as she slipped her arms around Emma's neck and leaned her now towel clad body against Emma.
"Honestly, I don't know Regina. I mean, just because you had my baby does not mean we need to get together but ever since you called me this morning, I don't know, I can't help myself; all I want is to be close to you, to kiss you, to make you happy. So where do you want this to go? Do you just want to see how this plays out? Just know that if we let it ride, I'm not going to hold back anything because I don't think I can anymore." Emma whispered kissing Regina's forehead once she was done talking.
"I know what you mean and I really hate to admit this because it's so unbelievably corny but every time you leave my side I feel empty inside. Right here in your arms is where I feel like I belong, where I'm safe. God Emma, I don't even sound like me, this mushy person is not me."
"We will take it one day at a time ok? But for now why don't you get dressed and I'll go see if your room is ready ok?"
"Thank you for being here and helping me through this." Regina whispered.
"Forever and always, Madam Mayor." Emma replied kissing Regina one more time and leaving the room.
"Oh my….? What is all of this? This isn't for me, is it? You must have the wrong room." Regina said as tears filled her eyes. Mel had just wheeled her into her private room and it was filled with all kinds of flowers and balloons that read 'congrats', 'congratulations', or 'it's a girl!' There were also a variety of ribbons and banners that read the same things that were tucked in each of the flower arrangements. The most surprising thing in the room was the baby carrier sitting on the bed. The fabric had a brown background with pink and tan polka dots on it.
"It really is all for you. People found out you had a baby and wanted to give you these up in your delivery room but the nurse's and I thought it'd be best just to have them bring their gifts here, so that you were not disturbed. You know not everyone hates you. Actually, a lot of us are really quite grateful for your curse. We just didn't realize how good we had it here until we were sent back. I mean you gave us safety and we all had jobs and homes…." Mel paused to come squat down in front of Regina so she could take her hands. "Even when you were the Evil Queen, you made sure your kingdom still prospered and didn't suffer and we took that for granted. We were blinded by words of hate and let other people think for us. It's been a long time since you have been the Evil Queen and all the people in the hospital agree, that from this moment on you are our true queen." Mel finished bowing so one knee was on the floor, her head and hands were by Regina's lap.
Standing up so she stood strong and tall, as every bit a monarch that she is, Regina looked down at Mel with tears rolling down her face and said in her most regal voice, "I would be proud to be your queen again."
Later that night
"Are you sure you're going to be ok because I can just drop Henry off with my parents again and then come back here. Don't think that you're getting out of picking a name, because you're not."
"Yes Emma I'll be fine. Go home. Henry needs his own bed and you are only a phone call away and if I really need you, you can poof on over here, ok?"
"Fine, come on kid, let's get you home." Emma leaned down, kissed Regina good bye then her baby girl. She then turned towards Henry and brought him to her side before they both waved and left the hospital
Two days later
"Ok, so we have officially decided that it's between Aubree and Ava, right?"
"That is correct."
"And we also agree that we like our own name choice better, right?"
"Again, you are correct." Regina said nodding her head, looking from Emma to the baby to Emma again.
"Then I say we flip for it." Emma said while pulling out a coin.
"I'm not going to flip a coin to name our child."
"Regina, it's been three days since you had the baby. We need to pick a name. What is the harm?"
"You know there is a spell that we could do that would tell us what her name should be?"
"Why didn't you say this before?" Emma exclaimed; looking at Regina like she had just told her that Santa and the Easter Bunny are real.
"Because I didn't want to do magic on our newborn baby but seeing as she has magic herself, I don't see the harm in it." Regina replied; thinking about all the times in the last few days that her baby has magically poofed into her arms only to have the nurses come flying into her room minutes later to make sure the baby was there with her.
"What do we have to do?"
"We need the baby, a piece of paper, you, me and something to poke ourselves with. Before we even start, are you ok with one, poking our baby and two, making her cry because we poked her cause I don't want to make her cry."
"Well I don't want to make her cry either but we need to give her a name and I can heal what I assume is going to be a pin prick on her finger. Plus, she is with you so I think she will be ok."
"Ok, if you want to get me a page of that stationary on the table over there and conjure up a needle, then bring them to me." Emma did as she was told and set the items down on the table in front of Regina.
"Now what?"
"Prick your finger over the paper." Emma did as she was told and pricked her finger over the paper. Regina did hers next.
"Ok darling, mommy is just going to poke your finger so we can see what your name is going to be." Regina said calmly and soothingly as Emma pricked the baby's finger and just like they thought the baby started to cry. Once they got the baby's drop of blood on the paper Emma healed everyone's pricked finger. "Oh, OH oh, oH, it's ok baby girl, it's over. You did so good." Regina said as she brought the baby up to her chest and lightly bounced her, while rubbing circles on her back. Once the baby calmed down; Regina lit the paper on fire muttering an incantation under her breath. When the paper went out, all that was left behind was ash on the table top. Emma was about to ask a question when Regina opened her now swirling purple eyes and blew on the pile of ash; what remand on the table was their child's name.
"You have a name," Regina said, who's eye had changed back to their normal chocolate brown, with a smile looking down at the baby who had been shifted during the spell.
"That she does, that she does. It's…."
I hope you enjoyed! I promise you will find out the name of the baby in the next chapter! I look forward to reading your reviews! Until next time! ~ Sam :)