David yawned for what had to be the 100th time that morning. As much as he and Snow had wanted another baby, he didn't realize all that it entailed.
Emma looked in pity at David. "Why don't you go home early? Try and get some sleep," she said.
"If I go home, Snow will just make me help. At least here I can avoid helping for a little bit," David said.
Emma chuckled. Her parents had no idea what being parents was like, and it was making her laugh. "You could sleep in one of the cells," she suggested.
"True," David said. "Who knew that being a first-time parent would be so tough?"
Emma froze. Had he just said first-time parent? She understood why he had said it, but it still stung. Tears started blurring her vision, so she got up grabbed her jacket.
"Emma wait," David pleaded. "I didn't mean it like that." Emma just shook her head and walked quickly out of the station.
David groaned. He had just messed up. Big time. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and called the one person that could help.
Emma didn't know where she was going. She just had wanted to get away before David could launch into an explanation of what he had really meant. Logically, Emma understood why David had said what he did. He and Snow were experiencing being parents for the first time. But that didn't make it hurt any less.
Lost in thought, Emma didn't notice Regina trailing behind her. Regina knew that she had to let Emma walk where she wanted to before talking to her, otherwise Emma would shut down and run.
Emma wandered around the forest for a while before reaching a clearing. She sat on a tree trunk and put her head in her hands. She tried to hold in her tears, but they eventually started falling.
Regina walked into the clearing and kneeled in front of Emma before pulling her into a hug. Emma relaxed into Regina before sobbing. "David said that h-he and Snow we-were first time par-parents," Emma said in between sobs.
Regina rubbed her hand up and down Emma's back as she rocked them both back and forth. Emma's sobs eventually died down and she moved from Regina's embrace; wiping her eyes.
"Your father was an idiot to say that to you," Regina said. Emma smiled and put her head on Regina's shoulder.
"I understand why he said it," Emma said. "They're having to take care of a baby for the first time. But still…"
"I know," Regina said. She pressed a kiss to the top of Emma's head.
The two of them sat in silence for several minutes before Emma stood up. "You should be yelling at me you know," she said.
Regina looked at Emma, confused. "Why?" she asked.
Emma smirked. "I am missing work right now, and I believe I owe you a lot of paperwork Madame Mayor." Regina laughed before standing and intertwining her fingers with Emma's.
"I'll let you off the hook this time," Regina said.
Emma smiled. "I love you," she said.
"I love you too, dear."