Regina made her way home in a daze. She drove on autopilot as she shed a few tears as she replayed the day's events. Seeing Emma's baby had been incredible. She had never witnessed anything like it before. Sure she had seen it on television but witnessing it in real life was much more emotional, much more real. Seeing the baby girl on the screen and listening to her heartbeat seemed so surreal especially since Emma's bump was barely visible. It was a truly magical experience that she felt grateful for being included in.

During the scan momentarily Regina had felt a pang of jealously as she saw the baby on the screen. Since the birth of baby Neal the yearning she had before Henry had reared its head again. She knew the possibly of a new baby was not going to become reality for her but the desire in the moment that she saw Emma's baby was crippling. She had to remind herself to breath in order to be there for Emma. Her own pain was soon forgotten when she saw the smile on Emma's face and the reality of the blondes situation hit her. Emma's situation was far from ideal and she needed her help and support to deal with it. It felt odd thinking of the baby as a situation now she had seen her and heard her little heartbeat.

She had not realised she had been parked outside of her house until her phone rang and distracted her from her thoughts.

A small smile graced her lips. "Hi" she answered sweetly. Expecting to hear Emma's tired voice on the other end of the line.

"Regina?" Came a surprise voice.

"Snow..." Regina responded shocked, her voice instantly deepening. She tightened her grip with her free hand on the steering wheel. Snow, what would she say to Snow. She was sure to be calling to ask about Emma.

"Are you ok Regina?" Snow asked concern evident in her voice. She was confused as to why Regina wasn't speaking.

"Yes I'm fine sorry. I'm just busy at the minute. Can I call you back later?" she lied not wanting to deal with Emma's mother just yet.

"Oh yes sure that's fine" Snow sounded disappointed. "I was just calling to see how Emma is?" the desperation in her voice made Regina feel guilty that she knew nothing of her daughters situation.

"Oh well… she's fine." Regina responded weakly.

"But you said she was a mess?" Snow questioned.

"She's got things she needs to deal with but she's ok I promise. Sorry I've got to go. Speak later, bye!" Regina quickly hung up, throwing the phone onto the passenger seat and holding the steering wheel tightly with both hands. Taking a few deep breaths to try and get her thoughts in order. She really needed to speak to Emma about her mother, but how would she do that? Again her phone rang. She grabbed it roughly and answered with a deep sigh "Snow I told you I'm busy. I'll call you back later!" she snapped.

"Erm, it's not Snow. I'm sorry to disturb you" Emma sad voice replied.

"Emma?...Wait, no, please don't go I'm sorry" Regina's voice suddenly softer as she spoke to the blonde woman.

"You said you were busy a second ago?" confusion evident in her voice.

"I was busy if your mother was calling." Regina said the smile on her face evident on her voice.

"Why would my mother be calling?"

"She wanted to know how you were" Regina confessed honestly.

"Why would she be calling you to ask that?" Emma's voice was slightly raised.

"Because she…" Regina didn't know how to say it. She didn't want Emma to think she had been there for her at Snow's request because that really wasn't true.

"Regina I asked you a question!" the blonde raised her voice again, distress obvious in her voice "Why would MY mother be calling YOU to ask how I am?"

"Before I answer that question I need you to know that everything I did was because I wanted to"

"Tell me" Emma almost shouted. Her voice had cracked and Regina was sure that the blonde was crying.

"A few days ago your mother asked me to come and see you, to find out what was wrong with you"

"So you've been there for me because my mother asked you to. You've been spying on me for my mother?"

"What, Emma, NO that's not how it is at all. I wanted to be there. I still want to be here for you!"

"Ok. I'll let you get back to whatever it is you're up to, Bye Regina"

"Emma please, don't go" Regina tried but she spoke to an empty line

Emma had woken up alone in a dark room wrapped up in a throw from the sofa. She had immediately looked to the other sofa expecting to see Regina and was a little disappointment that the other woman was not there. She moved the throw to the side and sat up. She was happy to see a note on the coffee table that she assumed would be from Regina.

I hope you slept well. I imagine you've had enough of me for today but if you would like to come for dinner you are more than welcome to. Henry and I would be happy to see you. Get lots of rest and drink lots of water. Regina x

The note had made her feel warm and fluffy on the inside and she felt her eyes begin to well up. 'Damn those crazy pregnancy hormones' she thought as she drank the glass of water that had been placed next to the note.

Regina had been her rock the last couple of days. She had no idea how she would have dealt with the events of the last couple of days without her.

She was beginning to come to terms with the fact that she was going to be a mother again and that was all thanks to Regina. Having Regina with her during the scan had been a lot more intimate than she had expected and just for a moment when she looked at Regina, when they saw and heard her baby girl together, it had felt like everything would be ok because she had Regina with her and she would make everything better. She let herself believe the 'role' she was playing was a reality but that wasn't to be. Her reality was that she would be a single Mom to a baby that she still didn't know how had come to be.

Emma had phoned Regina with the intention to thank her for her lunch and to apologise for falling asleep after it, also because as crazy as it seemed she sort of missed the brunette.

Knowing that Regina had been asked by her mother to check in on her hurt a lot more than it should have. It was crazy but she felt betrayed, she felt used. She'd trusted Regina and believed that she cared about her. Regina had told her she cared. She had said they were a family. Yet here she was talking to her mother, Regina's so called enemy, about her behind her back. It hurt. It hurt a lot.

When Emma hung up the phone she turned it off before getting back onto the sofa and wrapping herself back in the blanket. Tears streamed down her face as she suddenly felt completely alone again. She wrapped her arms protectively around her belly as she cried silently.

Regina got out of the car and made her way inside her home. When her phone rang again she quickly rummaged through her bag. This time she made the effort to check the caller ID before she answered it was hoping that it would be Emma but was relieved to see it was Henry.

"Hello Dear" She answered with a fake happy voice.

"Hi Mom, Is it ok if I stay over at Gram and Gramps tonight? They are having pizza for dinner."

"If that's what you want and it's ok with your Grandparents then I suppose so"

"They said it was fine with them if it's ok with you"

" Ok well I'll drop you some pyjamas and toiletries off in a little while"

"Thanks Mom, see you later" Henry said excitedly before he hung up the phone.

Thirty minutes later Regina was stood in the living room of the Charming's loft. Baby Neal in her arms as hugged him tightly. All the drama of the day forgotten momentarily as she cuddled the chubby baby, she kissed his head gently. She inhaled the familiar baby smell that made her ovaries feel like they would explode. She was completely wrapped up in the small boy and for that moment everything was ok. Charming soon broke her from the bliss.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay for pizza?" Charming asked with a friendly smile.

"No thank you, but I hope you enjoy your evening." She said as she handed the baby over to his Dad before kissing Henry's head and wishing him a good night.

"I'll walk you out" Snow said as she walked over to the door with the unusually quiet brunette. "Are you ok?" a puzzled expression on her face.

Regina had never been great at hiding things from Snow White but there was no way she could let her know what was really bothering her. "I'm fine, just a little tired" she lied adding a smile for good measure as she stopped out of the apartment.

Snow followed her out onto the landing closing the door behind her. "Regina, about Emma?" Snow asked tentatively.

"Snow I promise you she is ok, but right now that's all I can say."

"So there is more?"

"Please Snow" Regina said her voice breaking as she spoke; she could not and would not break Emma's trust.

"Regina?" Snow asked touching Regina's arm. She was shocked when she saw the sadness on the other woman's face "what's wrong, is it Emma?"

"She's ok… I promise you" Regina managed before she started to cry silently her body tremored as fought the tears.

Snow was confused and concerned. Regina wasn't the sort of person who cried in front of her if everything was ok. She had only ever seen Regina cry when something horrific had happened.

Snow pulled the brunette against her and hugged her tightly and Regina let her.

She let the tears fall freely and let the other woman hold her tightly as she let the built up mix of emotions free as she sobbed uncontrollably. The women stood there for a few minutes. Regina clung to the other woman desperately. The sobs escaped her throat as she let all the pent up emotions free.

"I'm sorry" Regina said in a small voice as she broke away from the pixie haired women. "I don't know what came over me" she wiped the tears from her face and ran her fingers through her hair, embarrassed that she had herself be so exposed in front of Snow.

"It's ok to be sad sometimes and it's ok to cry. You always try to keep everything bottled up. I'm here for you if you ever need to talk." The other woman said sincerely offering Regina a reassuring arm squeeze.

"Thank you" Regina replied softly and appreciating the sentiment. She hugged the woman again as they exchanged their 'good byes'.

"I meant what I said Regina. If you need me I'm here" Snow called after her as she fled down the stairs.

Regina didn't reply but offered the other woman a small smile.

Regina really needed to speak to Emma and so she found herself yet again stood outside the blonde's front door. She knocked firmly and waited for an answer.

...

Thank you so much for the comments, kudos and messages. It really does make my day :-) barnabus67 asked about Regina helping Emma with her physical pregnancy challenges. i'm sure eventually that will be addressed. Thank you for reading.