Regina sighed as she checked through the house one last time. The last time she had to baby proof the house was when Henry had been a baby. And now here she was. Babysitting her niece.
Zelena was out, claiming that she needed a break and some "mummy time". So naturally, she had handed her daughter off to Regina. And Regina, wanting to repair things with Zelena, had taken on the role of babysitter.
The doorbell rang, and Regina hurried to answer it. If she was going to babysit, at least she was going to have some company while doing so.
"Hey there," Emma said, walking into the mansion. "You ready to do some babysitting?"
"Oh yes," Regina said. "I'm so excited to babysit the child of the sister who once tried to kill me."
Emma laughed. "Well, at least you're staying positive."
"I haven't had a baby in this house in years," Regina said. "So we'll see how this goes."
"You raised a pretty good kid," Emma said. "I have no doubt that you'll be able take care of a baby for one night."
"And with you to help me," Regina said.
Emma shrugged. "The only time that I've done anything with a baby was the one time I babysat Neal. I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to babies."
"Well, this will be the best way to learn," Regina said. She walked over to the crib, jumping as she saw Robin lying there.
"Did the baby scare you?" Emma teased.
"She wasn't there when I went to answer the door," Regina said, bending down to pick Robin up.
Emma rolled her eyes. "That's Zelena for you I guess."
"Pretty much," Regina agreed. "Here you go." She held out Robin for Emma to take.
Emma's eyes widened and she took a step back. "Funny."
"Wasn't trying to be," Regina said. "I need to make dinner, and she can't be left in the room alone."
"So I'll stand by the edge of the crib," Emma said.
"You're not going to break her," Regina said, stepping closer to Emma. "You know how to hold Neal. Holding Robin isn't any different."
Several beats passed before Emma shifted her arms. Regina smiled before setting Robin gently in them. "Now you can keep me company while watching the baby."
Emma rolled her eyes before following Regina into the kitchen. "Where's Henry at anyway? He could have helped with babysitting duty."
"He could have," Regina agreed. "But I enjoy your company more."
"Wow, I must have really moved up on the food chain," Emma teased. She looked down at Robin, who just stared back at her. How this little girl was the daughter of the Wicked Witch and was happy was beyond her.
Emma looked up to see Regina smiling at her. "What?" she asked.
Regina shrugged. "Nothing."
"No, don't pull that," Emma said. "What was that look for?"
"You look like a natural," Regina said. "That's all."
Emma smiled before bouncing Robin lightly. "A natural huh? Did you happen to think about anything else that made you smile while looking at me holding a baby?"
Regina froze for a second before continuing her cooking. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"So, you weren't thinking about how this could be us?" Emma asked, walking closer. "And this could be our baby that I'm holding while you make dinner?"
Regina bit her lip. "That didn't even cross my mind."
"You're a terrible liar," Emma said, stopping right next to Regina.
"I am not," Regina said. "Just to you."
Emma laughed. She glanced down at Robin, smiling when she saw that the baby was fast asleep. "I'm going to go put her back in her crib."
Regina nodded and pretended not to watch as Emma happily carried Robin out of the room. It was true, she had been thinking about a future with Emma. That happened to include a baby of their own. But it would never happen.
"Penny for your thoughts," Emma said, walking back into the room.
Regina shook her head, going back to making dinner. "I was just thinking about how I would ask you to help me with dinner, but that would probably lead to a disaster."
Emma rolled her eyes. "I can help with the small stuff."
Regina smiled before handing her a knife. "You can chop up the vegetables." One day they would talk about their future together. But for now, babysitting would have to do.