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As soon as Regina woke up the next morning, she felt the nausea hit her like an ogre's belch. She had to make a mad dash to her bathroom, barely making it there before her dinner from the night before came back up. She stayed on the cool tile for several minutes before even attempting to move. When she finally felt half human, she got up, brushed her teeth and used mouthwash several times before she getting dressed for the day.
For a split second as she made her way downstairs, she thought she might make some pancakes, but the thought of the sweet, fluffy dish caused her to feel green again.
"Can't you give your mom a break, little one?" Regina asked as she placed a hand on her still flat stomach.
After riffling through the cabinets for several minutes, she found some crackers that didn't make her want to vomit. Her baby was thankfully letting her eat a little this morning. About an hour later she heard her doorbell ring. She hurried to the door, opening it to find two very handsome men standing in front of her.
"Gina!" Roland said as he closed the distance between them and hugged her legs.
"Hello my little knight. How are you this morning?" Regina asked, bending down to return his embrace.
"Good! Daddy says I get to spend the day with you," Roland said, his voice full of joy.
"Yes I did, little man. I'm going to help David with some things in town. I want you to be on your best behavior," Robin reminded the eager child. He loved watching his son and Regina together. They were his home and his family.
"I will daddy, I promise," Roland promised solemnly.
"Very good, my boy. Now, why don't you go watch some TV while I talk with Regina for a few minutes?" Robin said as he looked at Regina. Roland went into her house, heading directly to the familiar living room. Once he heard the sounds of the TV, Robin took one of Regina's hand in his.
"And how are you feeling this morning, milady?" Robin asked as he stepped even closer to her, inspecting her face for signs of illness.
"I'm fine," Regina answered wondering why he was looking at her strangely. "How are you?"
"I would be doing much better if the woman I love was not passing out in the street, like you did yesterday," Robin said as he moved his thumb and finger under her chin to keep her looking at him. He wanted to see the truth in her eyes as she answered him.
"How did you..." the question died on her tongue as she realized exactly who would have told him about the incident. "Little John told you. Of course, he did."
"As he should have, but I would have preferred to have heard it from you. Why didn't you tell me you were not well?" Robin asked, still slightly hurt she had not said anything about it to him.
"It was nothing to worry about. With everything going on, I'm sure it was just the stress catching up with me," Regina said, averting her eyes so that she was not looking at him as she answered.
"Regina, don't lie to me. If there is something wrong with you, I want you to feel comfortable telling me," Robin replied, his hands coming to either side of her face, a thumb gently stroking her cheek.
"There's nothing wrong, I just...oh god," Regina said as a wave of nausea hit her. Apparently, now that this baby had made its presence known, it was making up for lost time. She yanked her face from his grasp and ran to the nearest bathroom, before empting what little was left in her rolling stomach. Before she could gather herself from the floor, she heard the door open behind her and felt a steadying hand on her back, while the other hand tenderly tucking back her hair as she continued to heave, but nothing was coming up.
"Regina, I'm taking you to see the doctor today," Robin said when she finally managed settle her stomach. She sat on the floor, as Robin moved around the bathroom, grabbed a cloth, wet it and wiped her forehead.
"It's nothing. It's just the stress, I mean you try finding out you have a half-sister, only to have her die a few days later. Then, just when it seems everything is going to work itself out, the man I love's dead wife returns," Regina said trying to make him think that was the reason.
"This is not just stress, Regina, so don't try to convince me otherwise," Robin replied slightly angry that she continued to lie. "Did the Imp do something to cause this?" Robin asked. He still didn't trust the Dark One at all.
"If I'm not feeling better tomorrow, I promise, I'll go to the doctor," Regina conceded, though she was feeling a lot better all of the sudden. She felt the tickle magic in her veins, and began to suspect her unborn child had done this to her on purpose. It wanted to make sure Robin saw her get sick.
"Well, you are looking better, but I'm going to be checking on you more often," Robin swore to her. "And don't try to make me stay away. You and Roland mean the world to me and it worries me if either of you are sick." Robin said as just then they heard Roland's voice.
"Daddy? Gina?" Roland said his voice a little worried.
"We are in here, Roland," Regina called, as she stood up with Robin's help and washed her mouth out.
"What were you two doing in there?" Roland asked as they walked out of the bathroom together.
"I needed help with something and your daddy helped me with it," Regina answered smoothly, though she could feel Robin's intense gaze on her back.
"Roland, are you hungry? Can I make you something?" Regina offered trying to distract the boy.
"Grilled Cheese?" Roland asked excitedly.
"I can handle that," Regina smiled, praying the nausea would stay away.
"Roland, I'm about to leave, but you be good for Regina," Robin said as he hugged his son and took Regina's hand, tugging her to the front door.
"Are you sure you feel okay to have Roland here?" Robin had to ask one more time.
"I'm fine, stop worrying." Regina gave a classic eye roll, which made Robin smile.
"Too late, I already worry about you," he sighed, looking down into her face. Her beautiful brown eyes were framed by her sweeping long eyelashes. He loved how they swept across her cheek as she would open and close them.
"I'll be fine," Regina said as she looked up at him and saw tender blue eyes looking back at her. They were so focused with hers that nothing could have torn her away from his gaze at that moment.
Robin brought up one hand to cup her cheek as his head started to lower to hers. He leaned in and slowly parted his lips as he started to kiss her. It was a gentle kiss born of a few things. One of love for her and one of worry for her as well. It was over quickly, but he kept contact with her cheek as he pulled away slightly to look back into her eyes.
"You'll call me if you need me or you become ill again? I'm leaving Roland to watch over you and report back to me," Robin teased and Regina nodded. He kissed her cheek before turning and opening the door giving her hand a last squeeze as he left.
Regina closed the door and went to where Roland was already waiting for her in the kitchen. She started getting the items ready to make his sandwich. When she was finished, they sat down at the kitchen table and she watched him eat, smiling at him as he did so. It felt nice to have people to care for again, and if she was being honest with herself, it was nice to have people who cared for her as well.
When he was done, they went into the living room and popped in a movie. Roland was curled at her side. About an hour into it, Regina started not feeling well again.
"Roland, I'll be right back," Regina said as she stood up and started to walk to the hallway. She had only taken a few steps, when the room started to tilt, and vision blurred, and the last thing she heard was Roland screaming her name before she passed out.
Thanks so much to Joy Booth for helping me with this story. I have learned a lot from her and from Darley.