Regina was dressed to the nines when she opened the door for Emma that evening although Emma couldn't remember a time when she wasn't. Maybe once in a while on a movie night with Henry Regina wore yoga pants or even pajamas but even Regina's pajamas looked like she was about to strut down a runway.
"Come on in I was just rotating the lasagne. Meet me in the den. Help yourself to a drink if you'd like."
Regina seemed flustered and that made Emma even more nervous about what her best friend wanted to talk about. Was Regina sick? OMG and she'd been so insensitive asking her her preferred ways to die. What if Regina really was dying? Tears gathered in Emma's eyes but she shook her head. Maybe it was good news. Regina had not broken any bad news to her and she was already a mess. She needed to snap out of it. She poured herself a scotch and drank deeply from the glass. Then she poured an apple cider for Regina. About a minute later, Regina came into the room apologizing profusely to Emma for keeping her waiting.
Emma laughed humorlessly, "Is this some kind of business meeting? You are acting strange. There is absolutely nothing to apologize for would you sit down and relax because you are making me extremely nervous."
Regina smiled at Emma to reassure her that everything was okay and sat down on the sofa her knee resting against Emma's. Emma handed her the cider and Regina nodded a thank you and downed it, "I've been thinking a lot about what you said a couple weeks ago about how you'd like another shot from the beginning to raise a child well frankly so would I. I'd like a chance to raise a child in an environment where they know about my past but also that I've changed and am no longer the evil queen. I was looking forward to mothering Roland because I didn't have to hide myself from him and he already loved me for me but I couldn't marry Robin just to be a mother to his son. I also have not lost all hope that some day I will find the person I truly love and am meant to be with. Physically I am incapable of bearing a child, another unfortunate hurtle, so that leaves adoption or surrogacy. I don't know that my circumstances here are really ideal for either at this point but then I had a kind of crazy notion," Regina stopped talking and took a deep breath in then out, "What if you and I had a baby?"
Emma gaped at Regina and the brunette looked hopefully at her waiting for her to speak, "Regina, you do realize that we are both woman right?"
"Of course silly we would create the child through magical means and then implant it inside you."
"Why me?"
"Magically or otherwise, I can not become pregnant. Something that long ago seemed freeing and now feels like a shackle."
"Regina either way this seems a little crazy I mean why choose me. Other than my comment about wanting a do over."
"Honestly when the idea came to me I thought it was crazy but it makes too much sense to me now. First of all, you are the best friend I've ever had despite our past. We have the same values and morals. The biggest pro that I can not get past though is that we already have a son together. If we had this baby together they would have the same parents. Granted you and I didn't make Henry together but we are the only two parents he has left. Imagine this: what if I adopt a baby say and I get married. I am raising the baby with my husband and Henry is there every other week and I have an aneurysm and die," Regina smirked at Emma referencing her own "would you rather?" from the same day this had all began three weeks ago, "if that happened the child that I adopted would stay with my husband and Henry would live with you. What would happen though if that baby was ours?"
"I'd get Henry AND the baby."
"Exactly. And we don't break up Henry and his sibling."
"I don't know Regina how would this all work? Do you even have a plan other than knocking me up?"
Regina glared at Emma, "I have some thoughts. Its going to be a little difficult the first year but so far I had one thought thats actually been there for a while I just didn't know how you would feel about this in normal circumstances."
"Regina just tell me."
"I own the home next door, the one on the North side. I had rented it out for about 28 years but then the curse broke and no one wanted to live next door to the Evil Queen so it's been vacate for the last four years almost. It's a four bedroom, three bathroom home. I was hoping that you and Henry would consider moving there and then there will be plenty of room for all of you. Also then you'll be out of that tiny loft. You could even sublet it if you want to. That way if things feel too crowded or overwhelming here you have a place to go."
"I don't know Regina I don't think I can afford the rent on a place like that. How much is your mortgage?"
"Emma, you don't understand. When I came here with the curse, I owned both these homes outright. I was charging $1000 a month to the people who lived there but that money went into a fund for my children's educations over the last 32 years. Granted it hasn't brought any income the last few years but I think we could work out a deal. How much do you pay for the loft?"
"Um. $850."
"Ok so I think you should move into the house and rent out your loft for $850. $500 a month is all you'll have to pay to live in the house, the income from which STILL goes into a fund for our children's educations and you have an extra $350 a month that you are normally spending on rent to do whatever you want with. Or you could give up the loft altogether. Your choice." Regina was smiling at Emma very proud of her plan overall.
"But Regina a place that big has more overall expenses. Utilities and maintenance. Thats a lot of house to clean," Emma whined.
"Well utilities yes would be a little more expensive than you pay now but not $350 more expensive. As far as maintenance and cleaning goes, I have people for that stuff don't worry. Just your friendly neighborhood landlady. I have both a maintenance man and a cleaning lady who comes twice a week." Regina was beaming again. She had shot down Emma's first attempt to not move in next door.
"Alright fine I get your point but I'm still not entirely sure you and I should have a magical child just because you have this house next door I could live in."
"Just do me a favor and think about it for a little while. Move into the house next door and if you don't want to do it, we won't do it."
"Ok. Can we eat now because I am starving, you've given me a lot to think about and I can't think on an empty stomach?"
"Absolutely."
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Emma had agreed that she would move in next door to Regina. It made financial and custodial sense. Emma and Regina had been doing so well over the last few years as co-parents and friends that at least that much seemed logical. So the week after the fourth of July, Henry and Emma had all their belongings brought to the new house which Regina had graciously furnished the week prior. Emma and Henry brought only their belongings and left all furniture but their beds in the apartment.
"Knock knock," Regina called out as she poked her head into the kitchen to see Emma standing on the counter.
"Hey doll! The house looks great. Thanks again for the stuff," Emma beamed at Regina.
"You are gonna break your neck you know that right?"
Emma jumped effortlessly off the counter landing gracefully on her bare feet, "Awww. Are you worried about me, mom?" Emma stuck out her bottom lip and Regina pinched her in the side causing Emma to giggle.
"You behave like a child sometimes Miss Swan."
"A child you love," Emma's smile coupled with the statement caused Regina to swallow a lump in her throat.
"Yes well I hope you and Henry have everything you need and if not just let me know," her smile was a little strained but Emma didn't seem to notice.
Regina turned to leave but was stopped by a hand in her's, "Hey listen tonight Henry is going to a sleepover and I thought it would be fun to have a girls night. I need to talk to you about something anyways."
Regina looked into Emma's eyes and nodded, "Okay."
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Emma sat on the sofa in her new house. She was marveling at her new entertainment setup when she heard the front door.
"Emma, I'm here and I brought your favorite movie," Regina called from the foyer.
"In here."
"Hey."
"So you brought Weekend at Bernie's?"
"No, better. I brought Notting Hill."
"Oh come on Regina you know thats only for when I'm feeling sappy," Emma whined.
"Well what about when I'm feeling sappy?"
"You? Sappy? Ok who are you and what have you done with Regina?"
Regina laughed and flopped down on the couch next to Emma handing her the movie, "Fine we can watch whatever you want. I don't care. Where's the wine?"
"Alright calm down alky," Emma laughed but instead of getting up to go and get the wine or put in the movie she sat there silently for a few seconds before, "I want to have a baby with you."
Regina had her head tilted back and her eyes were closed but they flew open when Emma spoke, "What?" Regina looked at Emma. She wasn't sure she heard right.
"I said I want to have a baby with you. I want it to have two loving parents who get each other and who will be there forever for it. I know you, Regina and I trust you. I couldn't imagine a better co-parent for my child." Emma gave Regina a smile and hoped Regina hadn't changed her mind about the idea because she had thought long and hard and she really wanted this.
"Really? You want to do this?" Regina was tearing up and hoping that Emma wasn't just joking with her.
Emma took Regina's hands in hers and turned to face her, "Really. I want to do this. It's a great idea. I would like to know a little bit more about how you plan to magically impregnate me but I want to have another baby and I want you to be his or her mother just as much as I am."
"You realize that this child will be no different than any other pregnancy other than how you are impregnated. I will take your essence, mixed with mine and a doctor will inseminate you. From there on out it's no different than any other pregnancy."
"You are not going to talk me out of this Regina. I am glad to know the general process though so thank you," Emma gave one of her thousand watt smiles. One the Regina had mostly seen her give to Henry. Regina knew in that moment: Emma wanted this.
"There is one other thing I think you should know," Regina chewed her bottom lip, "there is a chance that this may be unsuccessful and I want you to know everything. I am not entirely sure that my own infertility may not cause this whole thing to fail. The odds of us successfully conceiving a child, much like In Vitro Fertilization, are not 100 percent. If it is not possible, should we consider a sperm donor?"
"Hey you know what? I believe that this will work but frankly, it took me a while to get used to this whole idea and to be completely honest I want to do this with you. I am agreeing to have a baby that is half Regina and for now I want to focus on that. We can cross that bridge if we come to it until then, I am counting on you to get me good and pregnant." Emma and Regina both laughed and Regina wiped a small bit of moisture from her face.
Emma cleared her throat and downed her own glass of vine, "Screw it. Bring on the sappy movies."
"As you wish."
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THREE MONTHS LATER
"Alright Sheriff I'm going to need you to lay back on the table so I can do an ultrasound." Dr. Ross instructed a very nervous Emma Swan.
Emma laid back on the table and Regina reached for her hand and squeezed causing the blonde woman to almost visibly relax. The transvaginal ultrasound probe was inserted and Emma breathed in and out so as not to tense up again. They all looked to the screen which lit up and Emma couldn't make much of what she was seeing.
The doctor clicked a few buttons and froze the image, extracting the probe and smiling at the two completely clueless mothers to be. She actually laughed a little at the looks they were giving the screen. Emma was squinting a little and Regina's mouth was open but her eyes were searching all over like she didn't know where to look.
Dr. Ross took pity on them and spoke first, "You see this tiny blob that looks kinda like a bean," she pointed to the middle of the screen and Regina's eyes finally settled and she smiled, "that is your baby. The implantation was a success. Congratulations Moms." Emma looked at Regina smiling from ear to ear.
Without thinking Regina kissed Emma's forehead, "We did it."
"Well we did the easy part, getting me pregnant," Emma laughed, "its the next eighteen years, eight months thats the real challenge."
"I'm going to go print a couple copies of your baby's first picture. I'll print one for each of you. Any others?"
"Make it a total of 4." The doctor nodded her head and left the room.
Emma gave Regina a confused look, "One for you, one for me, one for Henry and one for your parents."
"I thought we weren't going to tell my parents yet?"
"Well I was thinking when we tell them we could give it to them. I think we need to tell them when you are about three months along because after that you'll start showing and it will get more and more troublesome to hide. Especially in those tight clothes you wear."
"I never heard you complaining about my tight clothes before," Emma smirked.
"I'm not complaining now I'm simply stating that they will not be ideal much longer," Regina gave a her a playful grin right back.
The doctor reentered the room, "Here we are. Four prints of the bundle of joy."
"Thank you again Dr. Ross."
"You two are very welcome. Emma I sent your prenatal prescriptions to the pharmacy downstairs under my name and I will call you when its ready and you can pick it up from me directly. I know you two are trying to be discrete for now and this town is a walking rumor mill so to ensure your privacy I am willing to keep a tight seal on this for as long as you need to."
"Thank you so much Doctor," Regina shook her hand, "your discretion is very much appreciated. Emma I have to get back to the office and it's probably best we don't leave together. I will see you later?" Regina took her copy of the ultrasound from the doctor.
"Bye doll. Go run the town like the badass you are." Regina shook her head back and forth at Emma's comment but left the room smiling none the less.
"I want to thank you as well doctor. Its been a rough go for Regina and you being on our side really helps her a lot."
"No problem Emma I think what you two are doing makes perfect sense. Get dressed and go home and rest now. You have a tiny human to grow."
Emma laughed, "Alright doc I will."
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"Would you rather die painlessly and completely alone or in constant agonizing pain with the love of your life by your side?"
"Painlessly. I don't want to suffer. Plus I'm not even sure I believe in the true love thing anymore. I mean my parents might have it but maybe not. Supposedly Robin was your true love and look how that turned out."
"So you'd rather die alone even if there is a love of your life out there?"
"Ya pretty much," Emma's legs were draped across Regina's lap and they were watching TV at Emma's like they did every Friday night now that Emma couldn't drink. Emma was eating a large bowl of Neapolitan ice cream and mindlessly licking her spoon.
"What do you think of the name Megan?" Regina asked looking up from The Big Book of Baby Names.
"I don't know. I knew a Megan once and she was a total bitch."
Regina smirked, "Well in all fairness you probably would have said that about the name Regina a few years back as well."
Emma glared and chose to ignore her, "I like Cassandra or Alexandra."
"I could live with either of those. What if it's a boy?"
"I really like traditional names because I think the name should sound good next to Henry's, ya know? Does that sound weird?"
"Not really. I like Joshua or Benjamin."
Emma nodded her approval, "Hey I wanted to ask you. If we have a boy, could we give him the name David? Like as a middle name? I really want to do something for my parents and I do like the name David."
"I like that. Benjamin David Swan, Joshua David Swan," Regina tried the names together smiling, "sounds pretty good."
"Actually I was thinking that the baby should have your name. I mean Henry already has the last name Mills and remember, we are trying to solidify them as siblings here. That is the entire point."
"Emma I'm flattered that you want both to have my name but I was actually thinking a hyphenated last name so they are tied to both of us. I've already had the paperwork together for a while for you to officially adopt Henry and to change his last name so how about a compromise: Swan-Mills?"
"Regina I just don't think of it as a big deal because the foster system gave me my name. I'm not attached to the idea of having my children have my name just that my children know I love them and they feel safe and loved always. So I want Benjamin or Joshua or Cassandra or Alexandra to have the name Mills. I will gladly make Henry's adoption official but I want to leave his name just as it is. Is that ok?" Emma looked a little sheepish.
"Well dear I appreciate that I really do and if you are sure that you aren't going to potentially regret that decision then I am totally on board," Regina reassured Emma with a smile and a pat to her knee.
"Thanks Regina you know I remember being pregnant the first time and it was the worst. I was 18, abandoned by my boyfriend and I was in prison. You'd think after that experience I would be scared to do it again but I just know you are going to make this easy and painless for me. I trust you completely to take care of me."
"Anything for my baby mama," Regina gave Emma comforting yet playful smile. She got up off the couch and went to the kitchen to get herself and Emma some more water. Regina went straight to the sink leaning over it a bit and white knuckling the counter. She couldn't help this feeling she had been having lately. Whenever Emma complimented her or spoke highly of her, even though she didn't think she deserved it, Regina's stomach would somersault, an overwhelming yet not entirely unpleasant sensation. She took a deep breath to settle it. The brunette filled the glasses and headed back to the living room where she new the pregnant blonde was waiting. The butterflies in her stomach took flight again.