Here's the next chapter! I hope you all enjoy it! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT in any way, shape or form. Sadly.

Katie

Chapter 6

"Your Highness? ... Your Highness, are you all right?"

Regina stirred at the sound of the voice that was calling her. Her eyelids flicked slowly, as she tried to register where she was. The first thing she saw was the concerned look on Doctor Greene's face. He was peering down at her with an uneasy look. Embarrassed, she sat up quickly. She put a hand to her forehead, attempting to regain her composure.

"I'm…fine," Regina stuttered, still feeling a little embarrassed from her fainting spell. Suddenly she remembered why she had fainted in the first place. "Can you…find out if I am expecting for sure, Doctor Greene?"

The doctor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, Your Highness," He replied. "Whenever you wish. I know this can be a scary time, but remember; you are growing a child. You will deliver a future prince or princess for this realm. Everyone will be so happy for you and the King."

Regina snapped her head up to meet the eyes of her doctor. She smiled at his comment but felt her anxiety rising, because she knew the truth.

This child wasn't the King's.

It was Daniel's.

"Please don't tell anyone about this," Regina begged. "I would like to wait to tell the King and my stepdaughter myself."

Doctor Greene nodded in understanding. "Of course, Your Highness. Your news is safe with me. Now if you will please undress into your night gown, I will perform an internal exam if you wish."

Regina breathed a sigh of relief and sat up to get changed. The only way she was going to be able to keep this child was if she pretended it was the King's. She knew that no one could ever find out the truth, but she still had to tell Daniel… What was he going to think about this?

Dressed in her nightgown, Regina laid back nervously on her bed and waited for the doctor to examine her. Once Doctor Greene was finished the examination, he confirmed his suspicions.

She was expecting a child.

Daniel's child.

She was scared, but so happy at the same time. Her child with Daniel was growing inside of her. She never thought that this would happen.

She knew she had to be extremely careful.

Keeping the King and Snow in the dark would be easy.

It was Cora she was worried about.

Almost automatically, Regina placed a hand over her abdomen, as if she was protecting her child from her mother already.

Two Days Later

It had taken Regina almost two days to come to terms with the news of her pregnancy. She was still becoming sick in the mornings and she felt more tired than usual, especially when she was spending time with Snow. Her intense amount of energy made Regina yearn for her bed.

She smiled at the thought of her little baby growing inside of her. She absentmindedly placed a hand on her stomach as she walked towards the stables. It was early days yet, so she didn't have to worry about anyone's suspicions. She had a slim figure and guessed that she would show early on, but for the most part her body remained unchanged on the outside.

Regina's mouth spread into a wide grin as she spotted Daniel, who was rubbing down Snow's horse Hero. She was so excited to tell him. She cautiously made her way towards her true love, attempting to surprise him. However, Hero had other ideas when he let out a huge whine, which caused Daniel to look around. He caught sight of Regina and gave her a smirk.

"Nice try, Your Highness," Daniel teased. "But it seems that you can't get passed my detector."

Regina folded her arms across her chest and pouted childishly. "That's not fair."

Daniel dropped Hero's brush on the ground and scooped Regina into his arms. He placed a gentle kiss on her lips and rested his forehead on hers for a moment. His warm brown eyes stared deeply into her eyes.

"I've missed you, my love," he whispered. "It feels like forever since we've last been together. I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Regina looked down, suddenly feeling nervous. She fiddled with one of the buttons on Daniel's riding shirt. "Well, I've been…preoccupied…"

"Oh right, you've been running the Kingdom," He teased, while brushing a stray piece of hair from her face. He kissed her nose lightly.

"No, Daniel, I'm serious!" She snapped. "I… I, um… have something important to tell you. I'm not sure how you will take it."

Daniel's eyebrows shot up in interest. "Is everything okay?"

Regina didn't answer; instead she stepped out of his embrace.

Daniel grabbed her lightly by the shoulders, feeling confused by her actions. He tried to make eye contact with her.

"Regina, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

Knowing she couldn't keep it from him any longer, Regina told him the truth.

"Yes… I'm… I'm… preg - pregnant," She stuttered, turning away from him quickly. For some reason, tears were welling up in her eyes. She guessed it was from the baby. There was a long pause before Daniel finally responded.

"You're pregnant?" He repeated. Regina noticed the strained sound to his voice. Was he not happy about this? Regina frowned, but was stunned by his next words. "With the King's baby?"

Regina swiftly turned around to meet her true love's eyes.

"No, Daniel! The child I'm carrying is yours!" She grabbed his hand and placed it on her abdomen. "I'm pregnant with our child. We're going to be parents. Together. You and me."

Daniel's jaw dropped. "I'm… going to be a father?"

Regina nodded. She could feel the tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Unexpectedly she found herself being scooped up into the air. She giggled loudly as Daniel swung her around, until she suddenly felt ill from the motion.

"Daniel, Daniel! Please stop! The baby," Regina squealed. Daniel quickly stopped spinning and looked at his love with concern. He touched her belly gently.

"I'm sorry, are you two okay?"

Regina beamed at him. "Two… that's so strange to say. I guess there really is a little baby in there. Our baby, Daniel."

Daniel smiled at her, but his expression changed within a moment. "What are you going to do? Who else knows?"

Regina tried to calm his fears. "Only my doctor, but don't worry, he is sworn to secrecy. He doesn't know that you're the father. I plan on telling the King and Snow tonight. I have to pretend that this baby is his. I'm so sorry, I hope you can understand…"

Daniel embraced her. She knew this was hard for Daniel to come to terms with. They would have child together, but he wouldn't be able to claim it has his own. This child would be a prince or princess. The thought made her shiver. Daniel released her from the hug and grasped her hands firmly into his.

"I promise to be there for you and our child," He whispered, staring directly into her eyes. "I know I can't be there physically… but I'll try. I want this child to know me. The King may have the title of father, but that baby is half mine."

Regina smiled at Daniel's words. She was glad that he was okay with what she had to do. After all, there was no other choice. Running away would only cause more problems. At least they could watch their child grow together. She hoped someday that they could tell the baby the truth about its parentage. Regina threw her arms around Daniel once again and sighed happily. Things might be okay after all.

She hoped telling the King and Snow would go just as smoothly.

That Night

"How was your day, my dear Queen?" The King asked kindly as he noticed his young wife enter the bedroom. He found himself desperately trying to connect with his new spouse. He hadn't been married for many years, not since the passing of his beautiful first wife Eva. The age difference was a bit strange to him, but he wanted to get close to the woman who had saved his only child's life.

Regina smiled politely in reply. "It was… eventful, Your Majesty." She timidly walked past him and quickly dashed behind her privacy screen. She never undressed in front of him. She knew that he didn't mind. She fooled him into thinking that it was because of her shyness, but in reality she had no interest in being naked in front of him. The less aroused he was by her, the better.

"Call me Leopold, it pleases me," he pointed out. "An eventful day? Do tell."

Regina walked out from behind her privacy screen and saw the genuine curiosity on his face. He was actually interested in what she had to say. She had assumed that the King's kindness had been a façade, but she could tell that he truly was a good man.

"Could you please tell the Princess that I wish to see her?" Regina asked one of her maids. The woman nodded swiftly and left the room to fetch the young girl. Moments later, Snow appeared in the doorway dressed in her pink nightgown. Her dark hair was brushed down and flowing gracefully over her shoulders. Her eyes were wide open with interest at her stepmother's request to see her at such a late hour.

Regina sat down on the large bed. She gestured for her stepdaughter to sit beside her. The King sat across from them on his favorite armchair. Without saying a word, Snow did as she was told. She wondered if she was in any kind of trouble…

Regina took a deep breath. She decided just to tell them flat out. She eyed the King and put on a fake smile.

"We're going to have a baby," She announced, "I'm pregnant."

The room fell into an awkward silence for a moment, until Snow finally registered what had just been said. She leaped up and cheered.

"I'm going to be a big sister?!" Snow flung her arms around Regina excitedly and held her tight. "I'm so so so happy!"

Regina peered over at the King over Snow's shoulder. He seemed like he was at a loss for words.

"Your High… uhm, Leopold?" Regina asked, wondering how he was taking the news. Snow let go of Regina and turned to her father.

"Daddy," Snow cried. "Aren't you excited?"

Snow raised an eyebrow questioningly at her father's slow reaction. Just as Regina was getting up to go over to him, he finally spoke.

"A second chance," He whispered.

"Daddy?"

"I've been given a second chance, my daughter," Leopold repeated. "Thanks to you, Regina, we may have a son born to this realm. You may be pregnant with this realm's new King. This is the most amazing news you could have given me."

Regina's insides began to turn. Oh no. Not him too… He sounded like her mother. Placing a hand to her belly, she prayed the child would be a girl. If it were a she, the baby might be saved from the pressures of ruling a throne. Unfortunately, her son would have no choice.

Regina put on another fake smile.

"There's nothing else I want more in the world then to give you a son," She stated, praying he would buy into what she was saying. "I will need your help when this baby comes, Snow. Are you ready to be a big sister?"

Snow's eyes shined with excitement. "It's all I've ever wished for!" Snow embraced Regina once again and gestured for her father to join them. The little 'family' held each other for a few moments. As much as she hated lying to them, she knew her little baby would be safe as long as the King thought it was his. There was nothing else she could do but protect her child above all else.

She prayed that nothing would jeopardize the life of her child.

No matter what happened, no one could ever know the truth.

I hope you liked it! The next chapter: more focus on Regina's pregnancy, with Cora's reaction and a possible character death.

- Jess