"Oh my god."

For about the hundredth time that hour, Regina rolled her eyes, shooting a sideways glance to the blonde woman who sat beside her. The pair had been doing their own research since opting for in vitro, however research meant different things for the two. Regina busied herself studying what it actually involved, the costs, and what donors she thought were a good match. Emma, on the other hand, spent her time looking at everything that could possibly go wrong and, as she dubbed them, "survival stories".

"Oh my god, Regina look at this!" Picking up her laptop and pushing it towards Regina's lap, Emma pointed to the screen. "Multiple births. Multiple! What if I had, like, eight kids? Oh my god, I'd be like that one lady…"

Letting go of a frustrated sigh, Regina took Emma's laptop completely, shutting it off and placing it on her nightstand. When Emma reached for it, it earned her nothing more than a smack on the hand, like a child being told no to a cookie.

"Regina, give me back my computer," Emma whimpered, hands still reaching out for the object.

"No. You're acting like a child and worrying over nothing." Leaning over and turning her own laptop screen slightly so her wife could see, Regina smiled. "Why not look at what is actually, for a fact, going to happen? Instead of troubling yourself and panicking over things that are like the side effects on a pill bottle."

"I used to test those, Regina. I know how easy it is to get one of those side effects."

Pursing her lips, the brunette shook her head, resting it against the pillow behind her head. "Can we just select a donor before I decide to use my magic again and throw you out the window?"

Chuckling slightly, Emma picked up the list of donors from the pile on the bed. "And people think you've changed… You use threats like they never get old."

"With you dear? They never do."

Rolling her eyes and flipping through the list, Emma sighed. "Why don't we just pick someone that we know to be the dad?"

"Because you're related to half of this town."

Elbowing her hard in the ribs, the sheriff huffed in frustration. "No, I'm serious! I don't know, it'd probably save us a bit of time." Crossing her arms over her chest, Emma sent a playful glare to her wife. "Besides, you're thinking of Henry, not me."

Nodding slowly, unfazed and unconvinced, Regina raised an eyebrow. "There's also the fact that there isn't really anyone in this town that meets my standards. But go on, I'd love to hear your suggestions for this."

Biting her lip, Emma thought for a moment before smiling brightly. "What about Hook?"

"Killian?" Regina's lip curled in disgust, shaking her head quickly. "Most certainly not."

"What, why not? He's a good guy-"

"Who does nothing but make sexual remarks to you and myself, and is also a former thief."

Sighing, Emma shook her head. "We invite him to poker night, Regina. You know as well as I that he's not a bad guy. Is this because of the sexual innuendos?"

"Of course it is. I'd rather not have him boasting about having my wife pregnant. Besides, isn't he seeing someone?"

Nodding slowly, Emma shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sure Rubes wouldn't have minded, but fine."

"She would've eaten you during the next full moon," Regina muttered with a roll of her eyes, sitting a bit more straight in the bed. "What about Archie?"

It was Emma's turn to curl her lip, immediately shaking her head. "You know, you were right. Let's just stick to the list of guys who got paid to donate their sperm."

Laughing and shaking her head, Regina took half of the stack, scanning through it in silence. The only sounds that were really heard were Emma's soft giggling at a few of the profiles and the shuffling of papers.

"What about this one?" Regina asked, breaking the silence and handing the profile over to Emma. If anything, it was to fill the silence. Since the donor searching had begun, Emma had been taking so many fertility drugs that her hormones were wild. It was to where Regina could never tell if Emma was mad at her or actually just silent because she was zoned in on her work.

As Emma took the paper, Regina went back to looking through her pile, expecting the usual sigh that came from her wife. They hadn't once agreed on a donor, both mocking the other for their options. They were always the same, consistent in their choices. Regina would opt for doctors and lawyers that were married with two point five kids and had what appeared to be ideal standards. Emma on the other hand went for construction workers and men who, while not with an IQ over 120, were seemingly good. It was easy to see why both never agreed with the other.

As the minutes ticked away, the sigh that Regina expected never came, causing a spark of curiosity to ignite within the mayor. Turning to look at Emma once more, she tilted her head, studying the blonde's features and looking for any signs of disagreement with Regina's choice. When she saw none, she then noticed the small, but growing smile coming over Emma's lips.

"Emma?" Regina said softly, reaching out and squeezing her wife's knee to gain her attention.

Lifting her eyes from the paper, Emma nodded, glancing back down to the paper. "This one… Oh my god, Regina, he's perfect."

Lifting her eyes to Emma, Regina smiled, nodding. "I am known for having excellent taste."

"Shut up, don't be cocky," Emma said, flicking her hand in the air in a motion to silence the woman beside her. "He's really perfect… Not a doctor, apparently looks like Michael Fassbender, taller than David, good SAT scores…" Biting her bottom lip, the sheriff began to nod her head slowly. "Regina, this is the one."

Licking her lips and looking down to the paper in Emma's hands, Regina attempted to let her heart soar. "You really think so?"

Leaning forward and lifting Regina's chin with the tips of her fingers, Emma smiled widely, nodding again. "I know so." Kissing her gently, Emma nipped on the scar above her wife's upper lip, eliciting a moan. She moved quickly, not letting a moment waste as she straddled Regina's waist, hands sliding underneath the nightgown that clung to her.

Having a teenage boy in the house who had hearing that rivaled a werewolf's, mixed with Emma's raised libido due to the multiple fertility hormones she was taking, really made moments when the pair could actually have sex moments not to waste.

"Henry's home," Regina moaned against her lips, tilting her head back as Emma's lips slid down the column of her throat, nipping gently as the exposed flesh.

"Nope, he's with Grace," the blonde muttered against her collarbone, biting down gently before a harsh shove pushed her back. Stunned, Emma looked at her wife, bewildered by the sudden movement.

"He's where?!" Regina hissed, slipping from the bed quickly as Emma grabbed her wrist.

"Regina, come on, he's fine. They're just at the movies-"

"The movies? Just the movies?" Regina snatched her wrist away, walking towards the closet. "It's never just the movies, dear. Plus, I've seen enough movies myself and read enough books to know what happens at the movies."

Sighing, Emma watched her wife, shaking her head. "He's fine. Come on, come back to bed. These drugs make me crazy."

"You mean they've given you the libido equal to that of our son? Oh dear, you've have the same libido since you came to Storybrooke." Emerging from the closet in the slacks and shirt she had been wearing earlier, she fluffed her hair quickly in the mirror. "Come on, I'm not letting my son get Grace pregnant."

Watching as her wife left the room, Emma groaned letting her arms and knees give out and falling face first into a pile of papers and bedding. Slowly, Emma reached down, placing her hand on her lower stomach and sighing. "I'm so sorry for your other mom, kid. You're screwed."

Emma disliked hospitals. It was a fact that hadn't changed from the moment she first recalled stepping into one after she had broken her arm. They were bright, blindingly so, and reminded her of the stories when people claimed to have seen God or some other entity when they were dying. The smelled heavily of bleach and cleaning supplies, a stench she was certain was used to cover up the scent of death.

Perhaps she was being a bit overdramatic, acting like a child when she had been forced to sit on the paper covered bench in a hospital gown that made her feel too exposed, even when the only person in the room was Regina. The doctor couldn't come quick enough to get this entire ordeal done and over with.

It was obvious why couples tried the old fashion way of getting pregnant for years before deciding to do in vitro. She didn't look down upon it, Emma just hated the fact that she had to come to hospital and get drugged just to get a baby put inside of her. At least when she had gotten pregnant with Henry, it hadn't taken much to get it to happen. This however, this was an exact science with results that weren't always what people wanted.

In all honesty, she was too glad to not recall anything from the actual insemination. She would be told by Regina that she was like a teenager at a frat party, and Emma would believe her without any hesitation and with a huge laugh.

Emma honestly couldn't be happier over not having to deal with the hospital again until it was confirmed she was pregnant, but this was perhaps just as bad as being in the hospital. Waiting. Waiting an entire month until she can pee on some stupid stick just to find out if the entire process has to start over or if they got lucky on their first try.

A month was a long time to wait, especially considering the amount of time it took to go through the adoption agencies. The first two weeks wasn't so bad, they hardly seemed to mention it really. Henry never really discussed it, more focused on SAT preparation and whatever was happening between him and Grace. Regina was busy with the town's budget and trying to weasel her way out of attending yet another Magical Users Anonymous meeting with Snow, and Snow kept trying to drag Regina to them while dealing with the rising numbers of children in Storybrooke Elementary.

Everyone was quiet. Not even Ruby said anything. However, that didn't last for long.

Come the third week of waiting, the unspoken barrier covering the topic of the possibly non-existent child broke. Snow would bring it up when Emma came over for dinner with Henry, causing her to choke on her steak and Henry to erupt into a quieted laugh at his mother's expense. Regina began to subtly mention a few things, such as possible doctors, which guest bedroom to convert into a nursery, among other things. And Ruby, goddamn Ruby, Emma should have known that wolf wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut for long. The second she caught Emma's eye in the diner or during her shift at the station she'd mention the baby, basically squealing in delight over ever little fact of the pregnancy bits to come.

To be honest, Emma didn't hate it. She found it sweet how far everyone was going with this. Even Henry seemed to put his teenage hormones aside to ask Emma questions such as if Regina and her had thought of names or what exactly they were wanting, boy or girl. The only bad thing was being constantly reminded she still had to wait one more week before she could even see if she was pregnant, let alone if she and Regina should be deciding baby names.

By the time the fourth week actually arrived, Emma was pounding her head onto her desk in anticipation. Since Storybrooke had become an actual spot on the map where people knew of its existence, Regina had actually had to involve herself more with politics that stretched beyond the small town. Having to make trips to visit other towns and cities, learn how other mayors operated, it was part of the job description. And of course Regina would be gone when the pair was finally able to take the test that determined what would be happening over the next month.

Still, Regina wouldn't have gone if she hadn't had to.

"It's politics, Emma," she would always say. "You know I'd rather go through a looking glass than deal with them."

It was why Emma currently sat at her desk, grumbling softly to herself as she stared at the same police report she had been looking at for the past fifteen minutes.

"It won't be a long trip, she says. I'll be home in two days, she says. I'll be back in time to be there when you take the test, she says," Emma murmured to herself, fingers drumming angrily on the hard wood of the desk.

Yes, it was a bit childish, but she had the hormones to thank for that. She had been the same way when she was pregnant with Henry, constantly getting bitter over the smallest of things, her anger tripling in a matter of seconds.

Her drumming stopped when she heard a soft knock at the door, causing her to look up with frustrated eyes. "What?"

Whistling, Ruby held up her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, chill. I was just trying to be nice and give you a burger."

Sighing and closing her eyes, Emma ran her fingers through her hair, attempting to soothe her mental state. "God, I'm sorry Ruby. I'm just-"

"Hormonal, I know. It's cool." Moving over to her desk and putting the bag down on the desk, the wolf sat across from her friend, grabbing her own burger before pushing the bag closer to Emma. "What's got you mad today? Ant cut you off while walking into the building?"

"Ha ha, Ruby, aren't you just hilarious," Emma sneered, rolling her eyes as she grabbed her own burger. "No, just… Regina is supposed to have been back already. We were supposed to take that stupid pee stick test last night but she called and said she'd be another day because of weather up north but… Fuck."

Nodding in understanding, Ruby took a bite of her burger. "The anticipation is killing you, isn't it?"

Frowning slightly, the blonde nodded, swallowing her own bite before her eyes lit up, nudging Ruby from under the desk. "Your wolf senses, how good are they?"

Chuckling, Ruby shook her head, "Not good enough to know if you have a bun in the oven. Sorry."

"It was worth the attempt in asking." Groaning in defeat, Emma let her burger fall on the desk, leaning back in her chair as she covered her eyes in defeat. "I just don't know if I can wait any longer. What if she's held up again tonight?"

"Then she gets held up again tonight and you take it tomorrow," the brunette replied, shrugging her shoulders simply. "I mean, it's not like you'd take the test without her, right?"

Silence.

"Emma? You wouldn't do that, right?"

Pursing her lips, Emma shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet Ruby's gaze as she grabbed her burger and took another full bite.

Scanning her friend's face, Ruby finished her burger, shaking her head. "You brought a test with you to work, didn't you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, leaning over the desk slightly.

Chewing silently, Emma nodded, opening the drawer next to her, allowing Ruby to see into it. "Kind of."

Leaning over the desk, Ruby couldn't stop the grin that came over her lips, looking up again to meet Emma's eyes. "Kind of? Emma I'm pretty sure you bought out the entire pharmacy!" Reaching a hand into the drawer, Ruby pulled out four in her hand, waving them in the sheriff's face. "God, you even bought those ones that actually say 'pregnant' or 'not pregnant'. Jeez, how many of these did you buy?"

Snatching the pregnancy tests from Ruby, Emma quickly shoved them back into the drawer before shutting it, huffing in frustration. "I just want to make sure, that is all! You know, make sure I don't get a false positive or a false negative or something…"

"Chill, Ems. I'm just teasing, really, who am I to judge?" Falling back into her chair, Ruby shook her head. "Look, I'm not here to judge you, or tell you what to do, we're just talking. It's what friends do, right?"

Nodding slowly, Emma leaned into her desk, biting her bottom lip. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I just… God, Ruby, I really don't know if I can wait any longer. The anticipation is killing me."

Licking her lips, Ruby pushed the bag aside, reaching over and taking one of Emma's hands into her own, squeezing it in comfort. "I get it…" Sighing, she knew where this was going, putting on a small smile. "Do you want someone with you when you take it?"

Groaning in frustration, Ruby leaned heavily into the bathroom door, closing her eyes. "Jeez, did you fall in?!"

"I can't pee if you're right outside the goddamn door, Ruby!"

"I'd hear you pee if I was on the other side of the station, just pee, damnit! I have to be at Granny's in thirty minutes."

Hearing a frustrated sigh on the opposite end of the door, Ruby chuckled, shaking her head. "I'll put headphones in, okay? Just- Emma just pee on those sticks already before I come in there and make you."

Reaching into her pocket, Ruby pulled out her headphones, putting them into her ear as she turned on her music. Her eyes shut, letting her mind get lost into it, drowning out everything else around her. She should be a bit more worried about her friend on the opposite side of the door, but she knew that with Emma – especially with Emma – she had to be patient and let the blonde take her time.

This was a bad idea, she knew it was stupid. If Regina found out Ruby was even letting Emma do this without her here, she'd be skinned alive. Or worse, maybe she'd stab her with a silver stake or something ridiculous like that. Regina may have mostly given up her evil ways, sure, but she still had one hell of a mean streak that sent chills up most spines.

However, Ruby knew that this couldn't be avoided now. Emma had been so dead set on the idea as it was, if the obvious over stock of her office drawer wasn't sign enough that she was through waiting. Perhaps it was best that Ruby was being understanding and asking Emma if she wanted someone with her. If Emma were doing this on her own, she'd probably be even worse off.

So, Ruby sat, eyes shut, in a trance as she waited for Emma to knock on the door or something to signal her to come into the bathroom. Time was ticking away, but to be entirely honest, Ruby had no idea how long this process would even take. Despite being the town slut before the curse had broken, Ruby never had had a pregnancy scare, not even when Emma came to town and time actually began to move. She knew next to nothing about pregnancy tests besides the fact that you peed and waited. And to be honest, even if Ruby did know how this entire thing worked, she wouldn't know how to estimate the time needed to take six pregnancy tests. The fact Emma had the ability to do that many at once was shocking enough as it was.

Time ticked by, though. Probably more time than was necessary, Ruby had realized. While she may not be that great at keeping time, she knew that fifteen songs was more than enough time. Furrowing her brows, Ruby knocked on the door, a soft chuckle coming from her lips. "Hey Em, did you fall in?" she joked, waiting quietly for a response.

The silence seemed to echo then, causing Ruby to grow concerned, taking her headphones out and laying her phone on the floor beside her. "Emma?"

A soft sniffle was heard from the other side, causing Ruby's heart to race in panic and worry. Perhaps Emma had hurt herself or something, causing Ruby to stand quickly and lean her ear into the door. "Emma? Are you alright in there?"

Still, there was no response, causing Ruby's heart to pound faster. Turning the knob quickly, she noted instantly how the door was unlocked and how she heard nothing but another sniffle on the other side. Pushing the door open slowly, Ruby peeked her head in, glancing around. "Emma?"

"Here, Rubes."

Coming into the restroom entirely, Ruby frowned, seeing a broken Emma sitting on the floor with her face buried in her knees. Slowly moving toward her, Ruby sat down in front of her, reaching out to lift Emma's face so she could perhaps see what was wrong. Immediately though, her hand was met with wetness on the sheriff's cheek, causing Ruby's heart to squeeze painfully in her chest. "Emma, look at me?"

She was still for a moment before lifting her head, causing Ruby's heart to shatter completely. Her eyes and nose were red from crying, face splotched red and stained with tears. It had been obvious she was crying for a while now, probably knowing that she wouldn't be heard since Ruby had her headphones in.

"Oh honey… What happened?" Reaching over her, Ruby grabbed a few pieces of toilet paper, gently dabbing away the tears that stained Emma's face. "Did Regina call or something?"

A choked sob echoed from Emma's throat then, fresh tears coming from her closed eyes as she shook her head. She tried to bury her face back into her knees, but Ruby stopped her, keeping their eyes level.

"Hey, breathe. What happened? Did she say the weather is still too bad?"

Sighing in slight exhaustion, Emma shook her head again, feeling her forehead begin to pound with an incoming headache. "No," she said softly, voice cracked and wet from crying. "No, Regina didn't call."

"Then what happened?" Ruby asked quietly, pushing Emma's hair from her face, continuing to catch new tears as they appeared. "Em, what happened?"

Locking eyes with Ruby for a moment, Emma chewed on her lower lip, almost as though she was too scared to tell her why she was sobbing on the floor.

Finally though, Emma reached over, grabbing a thin, white object, handing it to Ruby. Ruby took it without question, glancing down to the small screen before looking up to her friend, comfort filling her eyes. "Oh, Emma…"

Leaning forward quickly, Emma immediately grabbed onto her friend, feeling new tears run down her cheeks and onto Ruby's shirt. She had never cried much, Emma hadn't ever been the type, especially in front of people. Later she would blame the hormones, but right at this moment, she couldn't comprehend her emotions, just what she had seen.

Ruby dropped the pregnancy test, wrapping her arms tightly around Emma as she let her cry into the crook of her neck. She sighed softly, eyes glancing down to the discarded pregnancy tests on the floor, the words 'NOT PREGNANT' suffocating the pair in the small space.

Regina was almost too impatient as she waited for Emma to arrive home from her shift at the station. She was already on edge after having to put off taking the test due to a storm in the town she was visiting. To be honest, the mayor hadn't even wanted to go. She always dreaded having to watch another mayor run a town, see how they run things and what laws they have in place, it just drives her insane. She had run Storybrooke long enough to know how to deal with fairytale creatures who would have rather see her hang, let alone people in a small town.

With the delay already being longer than originally anticipated, her anticipation over getting the test taken already was eating her from the inside out. She had asked Emma if she could get off early, but when she hadn't received a reply, Regina immediately took that as a no.

Perhaps she was being a bit selfish, wanting Emma to hurry home when Regina herself hadn't been able to get home in time. However those were matters she could not control, Emma getting her father or August to take her shift was entirely different.

It was already getting late, Regina could tell. The days were longer and even then, the sun was setting outside the window. Henry was upstairs, studying despite the summer season. It had been a deal he and his mothers had come to. His curfew would be extended if he took at least one night per week to study his SAT books. Of course, it was a deal a growing young man with a budding romance wouldn't dare pass up.

Her ears perked up though, snapped from her thoughts as she heard the opening and shutting of the door. While the usual fight between Emma and her boots was unheard, Regina rushed over to the door, smiling brightly at the sight of her wife.

Just as quickly as the smile was there though, it vanished, noting just how quiet Emma was and the emptiness in her eyes. Walking over slowly, Regina furrowed her brows, leaning against the wall. "Emma? Is everything alright, dear?"

Biting her bottom lip, Emma shook her head, but looking away as so she didn't have to look into her eyes. She couldn't stand the thought that she'd have to tell Regina about the negative pregnancy test, it physically made her stomach turn just to even think about.

Eyebrow raising, Regina felt concern, but also a suspicion that Emma was hiding something. After all, the only time she couldn't meet her eyes was when she was hiding something from her. "Are you going to tell me what it is?"

Finally managing to pull her final boot off, Emma sighed, finally looking up to meet Regina's eyes. Maybe if she did this bit by bit, it'd be easier for it to come out. "I-… I took a test today."

Before Emma could get another word out, she saw a fire light behind Regina's eyes, anger burning brightly. Perhaps going about this slowly wasn't that smart of an idea as she had previously thought.

"You did what?" Regina hissed, teeth gritted together as she attempted to control her anger.

"A test, I took one, but Regina-"

"Don't you dare 'but Regina' me!" Her hands were clutched into fists, the vein in her forehead beginning to make itself visible. "You took a test without me?! Just what the hell were you thinking?!"

The question was rhetorical, but still, Emma open her mouth to say something. She was silenced however, the impending rant continuing to boil.

"No, you don't get to say anything right now!" The mayor began to pace, beginning to hear Archie's voice echo in her head, telling her to stay calm, count to ten.

What does that cricket know about this situation, she found herself thinking, pushing her anger further.

"We had plans to wait! You said you'd wait for me. You promised, Emma!"

"Re-"

Her hearing had shut down entirely, the only sound being her own voice and the blood pounding in her ears. "I mean, out of every promise that you could've broken, you broke this one? Finding out about our baby together?!"

"Regina, let me-"

"I honestly cannot even believe you right now!" Regina's hands formed tight fists, knuckles turning white at the tautness. "This was a big deal and you just act like it's nothing!"

"Regina-"

"What? What could you possibly have as an excuse?" Jaw clenched, she stared blindly at the wall, the gears turning in her head. "That damn wolf probably put you up to it, I just-!"

"Regina!"

"What?! What could you possibly say-"

Finally, Regina turned to Emma, feeling her heart break as she saw the tears that filled Emma's eyes. She was silenced entirely, her eyes watching Emma as she began to crumble bit by bit. Before she could even say anything, try to apologize for overreacting and making her wife cry, Emma spoke.

"It was negative."

Jaw dropping slightly in shock, Regina attempted to speak, not exactly knowing what to say. They were quiet, the only sound being Emma's sniffling as the tears begin to fall.

"I'm not pregnant," she whispered, almost to herself as her eyes fell from Regina's gaze and to the floor.

Moving slowly towards her wife, Regina began to reach her hand out to her, immediately feeling the weight of her own words hit her. "Emma…"

"God, we tried so hard, Regina!" It was as though something broke inside of her, guilt washing over her. This was her fault, that's all she could come up with. "This is my fault, I'm so sorry. It's my fault we can't have another child, and it's my fault this entire thing was even brought up."

Regina's heart dropped, hearing what she was sure was something meant to stay in the blonde's head. Moving closer, she took Emma's left hand into hers, gently running her thumb over it in small comfort as the blonde attempted to pull away.

"I brought this entire baby thing up, something you didn't even consider because we had Henry and… I'm why we can't adopt, because I got locked up too much." Her breathing was heavy, trying to control the sobs that begged to be released. "And now, I'm why we can't even get fucking pregnant. I just, Regina, I'm so sorry I-"

"No."

It was quick, stern, enough to make Emma pause, eyes finally meeting with Regina's. She could read the sadness in Regina's eyes, but there was more there.

"I- What? 'No' what?"

"No, it's not your fault, and you need to stop apologize." Sighing, she moved closer, pulling Emma to her in an attempt to reduce the suddenly too vast space. "I wanted another baby, whether or not I told you. You didn't force me into this, I want it just as bad as you do," her voice was stern, but her eyes held comfort, understanding. "This, as you would say, sucks, but we knew the chances of getting pregnant were less than fifty percent." Reaching out, she cupped Emma's cheek, a small smile gracing her lips, despite the fact that it didn't reach her eyes. "This is both of us, okay? It's not your fault, so stop blaming yourself. Self-pity is very unbecoming of you, dear."

A choked chuckle came from Emma, tears slowly beginning to stop. She leaned into the hand that cupped her cheek, gripping Regina's wrist gently and sighing. "I just wanted this so bad, Regina. So fucking bad, you know?"

"I know." Pulling Emma into her entirely, she ran soothing hands up and down her back, feeling Emma sniffle again as she buried her face into the brunette's neck. "We'll get through this, just like we always do. Alright?"

Nodding into her neck, Emma wrapped her arms tightly around Regina, body shaking as another sob racked its way through her. "Can I blame the hormones for crying so much?"

Shaking her head, Regina chuckled, hoping Emma didn't feel her own tears as they slid down her cheeks and onto her t-shirt. "No, because then what would my excuse be?"

Placing the silver tea tray down in front of her friend, Kathryn smiled, taking a seat on the nearest chair, attempting not to let the obviously relieved feeling reach her face. She felt as though her feet were as heavy as cement blocks with how far she was. Five months, she truly did not expect to be as large as she was already. She was pretty sure she was carrying a baby elephant rather than twins at this point, but apparently it was normal. Well, at least according to Snow white and Cinderella, and Cinderella had been nine months pregnant for twenty eight years so perhaps she didn't have as much room to complain.

Pouring a cup of tea for Regina and one for herself, she sighed, leaning back with her forever content smile still in place. "I hope the tea is to your liking. We don't have as many options anymore, Fredrick keeps getting worried that it's too much caffeine for the twins."

Smiling with a soft chuckle, Regina shook her head, taking a sip of her tea. "It's perfectly fine dear, really. You didn't need to trouble yourself with this, though. I can tell it's a bit of a struggle with a boy and a girl demanding every bit of your attention already."

Kathryn hummed in content, placing a hand on her stomach, rubbing it gently, almost as if it were automatic rather than something done consciously. "Yes, well, I think they got that bit from me, but I do always take care of my guests. Especially those who don't visit very often."

Scoffing, Regina set her tea down. "I do visit, just perhaps not your home as much as your work or us getting together for lunch or something."

Nodding, the blonde set her tea down, raising a pointed eyebrow to her friend. "I do enjoy our lunches, and I appreciate the surprise visit even more. However, it's just that, a surprise. You're not one to do something without planning."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Tilting her head, she placed her hands calmly in her lap. "As I said, I enjoy when we get together, but this is unlike you, so… Why are you here, Regina?"

Biting her bottom lip, Regina felt her gaze leave Kathryn's immediately, looking instead down to the suddenly very interesting pattern on the tea cups. It was hard for her to seek help and advice, especially from someone like Kathryn. Someone who was so forgiving and understanding, she never turned a blind eye to the once Evil Queen, even after the curse had broken.

The pair was quiet, Kathryn allowing Regina to gather her thoughts. Instead, she poured herself another cup of tea, sipping it quietly as the minutes ticked past them. The air wasn't heavy but the blonde knew staying silent was eating at Regina. Still, she was patient, knowing the mayor would speak when she was ready.

Hearing a soft sigh, Kathryn placed her cup down, eyes focused on Regina, who still refused to meet her eyes.

"It didn't work, the in vitro… Emma isn't pregnant."

Frowning, the blonde inched herself over a bit in her chair, attempting to get closer to her friend. "When did you two find out?"

"Two nights ago," she said softly, playing with the hem of her skirt, flicking away invisible lint. "When she got home she told me." Shaking her head, Regina looked up to Kathryn, her heart clenching at the memory. "Gods, Kathryn, she blamed herself for the entire thing."

Kathryn stayed silent. If she knew one thing, it was not to interrupt Regina when she opened up to her. If she did, she might shut back down and send her walls right back up.

"Emma never cries, ever. I'm pretty sure, in all the time we've been together, she's cried about five times. When Henry was in the hospital after the cave, when we broke up, when she told me she loved me, when she found out her mother was pregnant, and our wedding day. That's it. And- oh gods," she murmured, running her fingers through her hair. It probably messed it up, but right now, she couldn't find within herself to care. "She cried until she fell asleep, because she thought it was her fault, even though it wasn't. I mean, how could it be?"

Kathryn shrugged, face remaining placid, but her eyes gave away how much she hurt for Regina. Regina despised pity, it's why she pushed Kathryn away initially when the curse had broken. If the mayor caught that look in her eyes, she might close up, and Kathryn could only hope she didn't.

"I'm… I'm a person who plans, you said so yourself, and I'm never happy when my plans don't go as planned." Looking to her friend, she shrugged, a helpless laugh coming from her. "I just don't know what to do."

Nodding slowly, Kathryn sighed, licking her lips. "You know I can't tell you what to do, Regina. I'm not like that." Smiling sympathetically, she reached out, placing a comforting hand on Regina's knee. "I will, however, offer you some advice, if you'd like?"

Regina nodded, not shifting her leg away. The comfort felt nice, coming from someone who didn't even need to offer her such kindness.

"You still want a child, yes?"

The mayor nodded again, frowning. "Yes, of course. I wouldn't plan so much if it weren't something my entire heart would be set into."

"Then here is what I suggest," she started calmly, leaning in as much as she could with her swollen stomach. "Try again. I know it'll be painful, going through it again, having to wait and wonder if you'll be getting the same result but… At the same time, it's the risk you prepared for, right?" Squeezing Regina's knee gently, she chuckled. "Besides, the chance of getting pregnant raises the second time around. That much I know."

Regina opened her mouth, about to protest, but stopped when she felt Kathryn pull away as though she were being burned by fire and grabbing her stomach. The mayor's eyes went wide, looking from the blonde's stomach to her eyes and back again. "What's wrong, are you alright?"

Reaching out, Kathryn grabbed Regina's wrist, taking her hand and placing it on her stomach. She knew Regina would protest, she always would make a strange face when Kathryn asked if she wanted to feel the twins before. She couldn't get herself to protest this time however, feeling pressure hit her hand quickly before going away. It came back again, causing Regina to look up to Kathryn, eyes wide with amazement.

"Is that… Are they kicking?"

Kathryn smiled, nodding slowly. "Yes." She released Regina's wrist, feeling a bit of accomplishment when Regina didn't pull her hand away. "I think they're trying to show you what you're missing out on if you let a speed bump get in the way of what you and Emma want."

Regina was silent, amazed by the simple fact that the innocent unborn twins didn't seem deterred from her, despite her past. While they didn't know it, she had always been certain that her energy always gave off a bad vibe, enough to send dogs running scared. But the twins kept kicking against her hand, causing a smile she didn't even know she had to grow.

"You're right," she finally murmured, looking up to her friend before letting her gaze fall down to her stomach again. "I never was one to let something get in the way."

Convincing Emma to try again ended up being much easier than Regina had thought. The blonde seemed just as eager to try again. The fact that the sperm bank still had the donor they had initially chosen still in stock, it was enough of a sign for Emma that they were meant for this.

This second time around, the month seemed to tick by even slower. The excitement kicked in, especially by Emma. She hadn't realized just how much she wanted a baby until that negative test, and this time she was so set she was sure to make sure she took her pills at the exact same time every day, not daring to let this slip her and Regina by.

After seeing how her friend had fallen, Ruby was pretty much her alarm to alert her to her pills. It wouldn't be bizarre for her to receive a text from Ruby, reminding her to take her fertility pills and prenatal vitamins. The wolf's efforts seemed enough for Regina to let her off the hook for being with Emma when she had taken the first tests.

Everyone who knew seemed that much more persistent, wanting to be the first to know when, and if, the positive was given. Even Henry had been caught bragging to Grace on the phone when Regina had been walking by the door.

So when the four week mark rang and they were finally about to take the test, Regina was more than certain than she wouldn't be dragged away on another meeting so she'd be with her wife the entire time.

At the moment however, she had sympathy for Ruby having to wait for Emma to take fifteen – repeat that, fifteen – pregnancy tests. Her arms were crossed as she sat on the bed, knee bouncing up and down in anticipation. It was a habit of Emma's that she loathed, but she found herself doing it in simple fact that Henry had made the off comment of his mother burning a hole into the floor.

"Emma, it does not take," she checked her watch, "thirty minutes to do all of those tests!"

"I can only pee so fast, Regina!"

Rolling her eyes, Regina felt her upper lip curl. She hated waiting, almost as much as she hated the fact that Emma actually spoke through the bathroom door. To be honest, she would've just barged in by now if it weren't for the fact that Emma had purposefully locked the door for this exact reason.

Finally, she heard it, a soft 'click', meaning she was gained access to the bathroom. Regina stood so quickly she almost tripped over her heels, walking quickly into the bathroom, seeing her wife stand with her back to her, all pregnancy tests laid out on the sink.

While Regina felt the need to give Emma a lecture of just how unsanitary it was that the sticks she peed on were on the freshly cleaned counter, she opted against it, walking slowly over to her wife. "Well?" she asked softly, almost too scared of the answer to even ask.

Turning slowly, Emma held one of the tests in her hand, letting her eyes meet Regina's. A small, crooked smile slowly grew over her lips, trying to keep herself together as so she wouldn't begin to bounce on her heels in joy. She handed the stick to Regina, biting her bottom lip to contain herself as Regina read the words.

Regina didn't reply however. Instead letting the test drop and embracing her wife, kissing her deeply as she tangled her fingers into thick blonde curls.

'PREGNANT'.