So sorry for the extreme long delay! Please just keep reading, don't leave me! ;)
I have so many surprises for you!
Edited, but all the remaining mistakes are mine! Any constructive criticism is appreciated. :)
Enjoy!
Two months later.
It was a pleasantly warm and sunny afternoon. The dry leaves of the autumn were rustling under Regina's and Robin's boots. The couple was walking slowly, hand in hand, while inhaling the fresh air of the colourful forest. They briefly heared a few birds singing every now and then as they were heading to a field deep in the forest, yet not too far from the castle. The place which Snow and Robin often visited to practice shooting arrows. The two archers have gone so many times, that they had already built various targets to aim at, the effort resulting in the practice to end mostly in pure exhaustion and happy laughter.
This wasn't the first time Regina accompanied them, everyone encouraging her to take long walks in the forest so as to help to increase her appetite. And honestly it did help, but it also made her tremendously worn out. To a level where she could walk only in a very slow pace. So Robin stayed behind with her while Snow rushed forward, bursting of energy. Regina admired the young brunette's physicality, but again, they couldn't be the same. And Regina, herself was waiting for to sit down comfortably more than anything, and to finally be able to eat her well deserved afternoon snack at the edge of the field.
They were heading west, foothills forcing them to climb a bit uphill, but they knew that behind the hump lurked their destination. Less than a hundred feet away, behind those big oaks.
"Are you okay?" Asked Robin with concern when Regina slowed them down to a halt.
"Yes." She smiled back up at him, breathing quite shortly. "I only need to gather my strength for the remaining distance."
"It's okay, take your time. We are in no hurry." He responded with care, caressing her cheeks, worry still not leaving his eyes as he placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Rustling sounded from the distance, suddenly making them separate. And Robin instantly aimed his bow in the direction where Snow disappeared between the trees only minutes ago. The rustling got louder, the noise close to a boar approaching, or more like a herd of them. They could only recline on their hearing, because their vision was mostly blinded by the bright sun already shining from the western sky. Then the silhouette of a dark figure appeared among the trees up on the foothills, framed by the bright, yellow light. Fear crunched Robin's insides first, at the misteriousness of the sight before him, forcing his bitter mind to think of Zelena, or even more of the sorcerer's wickedness. While the figure just kept walking toward them, speeding up it's steps, soon Robin could tell it was a child - not a grownup. It was a boy. And Robin's next thought was that he was imagining Roland, and this was all a vision or a trick. His insides screamed danger, his muscles tensed as he was ready to shoot at any threat. He blinked repeatedly to clear his eyes from the blinding light, and also to clear his troubled mind. And in the end, no matter how hard did he wish to see his son walk toward him he had to admit that this boy was much older than his Roland. And as he drew closer it became evident that he was nor Roland, neither a magical creature, he was only a boy, with an open smile on his face. Robin lowered his bow slowly and glanced sideways at Regina. Time seemed to stop around them. She looked mesmerized, too, staring at the approaching boy, maybe even whishing for the same thing he did. Her wish though, it did come true.
"Henry? Oh my god it's him!" She breathed unbelieving-like, her whole face ruled with the happy smile of a loving mother, which Robin had never had a chance to see before. It was the most beautiful sight in the world. She turned her head to look Robin in the eyes, hers already welled up with tears. She saw the worry on him, but she was just too determined. So grabbing her heavy skirts between shaking fingers, she not hesitated to start off in a run. Not being able to wait to hold her boy in her arms any longer.
"Regina! Regina, please! Just please be careful!" With that he followed after her. Staying close, almost in her heels to be able to catch her if anything would happen.
"Mom, mom!" Henry shouted happily, hurrying downhill toward his mother.
His beautiful voice was only enough to make her tears start to flow. She was running as fast as she could to reach him, but to be honest she wasn't near as fast as she wanted herself to be. She also wanted to shout his name in response, but only sobs could leave her mouth thanks to being short of breath and her excitement. She did all she could, she kept on "running" while holding onto the heavy skirts of her darkblue robe. Too many layers of garment because she was feeling unexplainably cold lately. Now though, she was almost sweating from only a few feet of jogging. Sadly her body joined to the list of her personal enemies in the past months.
It didn't take much time, only a few more steps when Regina started to feel herself heaving, and also a wave of dizziness washed over her. She somehow managed not to collapse then, though the unplesant feeling made her slow down some more. She tried to calm herself from the sobs, tried to make her breathing deep and composed, but while still on the move it was already a lost cause. Henry's smiling figure started to blur before her eyes and by the time they reached eachother Regina's knees buckled under her and she fell into her son's arms.
"Regina!" Cried Robin immediately, his heart making a heavy thump when he saw her sinking to the ground. He was down on the dry leaves beside them in an instant.
"I'm okay. Everything is okay." She breathed quietly, smiling up at Robin from Henry's shoulder. And she sure meant her heart, not her body. Robin knew it from her half closed eyes and ashen skin, but he didn't say a word. He only hoped that she would tell him if something was really wrong. He knew she would, just the joy of seeing her son after almost a year completely stole her attention, making her forget of her condition. Honestly, he hoped it was only weakness for now and even wished that it would stay that way.
With this thought, Robin raised, leaving mother and son on their knees - half sitting, hugging eachother tightly, crying and laughing at the same time. Regina lifted Henry's head up from her shoulder to study his face, to wipe away his tears with her thumbs, to just look into his deep brown eyes. He changed so much, but he was still her little prince. She smiled at him widely before squeezing him again to her body, never wanting to let go of him ever again. "I missed you so much!" She whispered sniffling.
"I missed you too, mom!" He answered, surprising her when his voice revealed a layer of unexpected deepness. So much time had passed. The realisation made her to grab Henry's jacket tighter as she completely blocked out her surroundings. For now Henry was the only one existing for her.
Her face burried deep in her son's neck, Regina couldn't see Snow approaching, accompanied with Captain Hook and a pretty blond woman. Who Robin assumed could be noone else but Emma, Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter, and also the birth mother of Regina's son. Robin not yet wanting to disturb the heartwarming reunion, went forward to greet the other two arrivals.
They happily shook hands with Hook, the two men even shared a half-hug like old friends. Both quite content with the outcome of the mission.
"I started to lose hope ever seing your stubbly face again, man!" Patted Robin Hook on the shoulder."There are no words how grateful we are to you, Killian." He continued as Snow nodded in agreement.
"Don't tell me that you thought for a single minute that a pirate won't do anything possible to bring an errand to succes? It didn't take that long to make you worry, mate? What was it, a month?" The Captain asked smugly.
"Seven weeks." Snow cut in, who was all this time holding her daughter to her side tightly, not wanting to let go of her long-lost child either. Robin had seen the princess smile, almost always to say the truth, but those upturned corners of mouth were nowhere close to the delightful expression she was wearing now.
"I apologise, she was hard to make believe." Hook said while winking at Emma playfully, playing with his too big rings -with equally too big stones in them - on his only hand.
"It is a long story." Explained the blonde shortly. "And by the way, I'm Emma Swan. Nice to meet you." She greeted Robin, holding out her right for a handshake.
"My pleasure m'lady." Robin gently took her hand as he bowed slightly, making Emma a bit embarrassed. "My name is Robin Hood. I have heared a lot about you and I am glad to be able to finally meet you."
"Likewise." And they smiled at eachother.
Everyone was beaming with happiness, preoccupied with the introduction as well as with the reunion when they became aware of some movement from the direction of the hugging Regina and Henry, almost forgetting about them. The brushing of clothes -fabrics heavy on eachother, forced everyone to look at the fidgeting Regina. Henry was already standing, facing his mother disguised as The Evil Queen. Though his mother's different appereance didn't make too much effect on him, not liker her vanishing strength.
"Mom?" Sounded from the concerned boy, who was now studying his mother with curiousity. "Here, take my hand."
But Regina hesitated, still thinking that she could do it, that she could stand up on her own. She wouldn't look up, refusing to see the pity on their faces. She wanted to fight, she wanted her son to see her fight and be strong, be someone he could be proud of. She saw his outstreched hand, but denied the help it offered. Luckily Robin had no intention to let her stay on the cold ground any longer, nor could he watch her struggling to gather enough strength to finally get on her feet.
"I'm coming" He announced, stepping next to her, lowering a little then sliding an arm around her waist, his other going under her elbow to offer enough support. He half expected her to push him away, though recently she proved to be a good patient. She let others in, and she also let them help. Of course mostly she accepted the care only from him, and he was more than glad to give it to her.
"Thank you." The Queen said to the Archer with a weak, but honest smile. "I'm fine Henry. Please, don't worry." She continued, turning to her boy, trying to sound convining while still leaning heavily into Robin's side, not trusting her legs to hold her yet. She wanted that concerned look off of Henry's sweet face, so she took a step in his direction to smooth his hair gently, to show him that she was fine with a bright smile. Seemingly succeeding, she looked around to greet the other two travelers when she found Emma staring at her with unnaturally wide eyes.
"You can close your mouth now, Miss Swan." She said with her unforgettable sassyness.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ..." Emma tried to say something reasonable, but it was already too late.
"I know I must look quite different to you, but please, try to control your shock better. It is all written on your face and it shows bad manner. Not an acceptable behaviour from a princess here." She continued, voice sharp and distant. But somehow Emma had an intuition that Regina, again, was being vicious only to cover her real feelings. She just seemed off.
Because yes, Emma did stare at Regina, studied her thoroughly from head to toe. And the bluish eyes didn't open wide because of Regina's fancy dress, made from various dark and gorgeous fabrics; or because of her too revealing cleavage, which she left un-hidden. Her long, thick cloak open below her neck. Nor was Emma left speechless because of the brunette's now long hair ajusted in a classic hairdo or the frighteningly dark mascara around her eyes. Yes it did all look intimidating and also so different from the appereance of the major of Storybrooke. However, Emma saw behind The Queen's costume (which she thought Regina was only wearing to keep away the audience who neither saw her nor cared for her actually). But Emma didn't belong to them. She did see below the surface where Regina's jutting collarbones lurked from under her white skin. Her skin with only a shade of pink thanks to the previous, rather brief exercise. But the paleness still remained dominant, giving a fairly sickening contrast with all her dark outfit, black hair and eyes. Beside those, Emma also became aware of a layer of sweat on the other woman's forhead and her hands shaking barely noticably. She couldn't decide if it was from her visible wearyness, her jumpiness or from the not really present cold she was wearing her thick cloak for. Either way, she was not looking healthy.
"I'll teach her everything she needs to know." Smiled Snow calmly at her daughter, ignoring Regina for now. Because she could have said it so much more painfully in an attempt to retort to the queen, to fuel her remorse. Because everyone there knew who was the real cause of Emma not being able to be risen to be a polite princess.
"Oh... okay then. I'm dying to hear all the details of your journey, so I suggest we head back to the castle." Robin stated to everyone's relief, the air around them getting too tense for his liking.
"What is wrong with her?" Emma asked Snow after a while, lowering her voice as the two of them were walking a few steps behind the others. "And I don't mean the sarcasm - which I remember well enough, or the whole Evil Queen appearance, because I know that she used to be way more twisty and ... dark." She explained, her eyes still big from her recent astonishment. "What I mean is that she can't even walk in a proper pace! Is she sick or something?"
"She is pregnant, Emma." Snow explained with a light smile, though she seemed stangely too excited about the thing.
"Oh..." Was the blonde's only answer. She definitely wasn't expecting that.
"Yes, and some have it worse than others." Snow continued, now smiling more brightly, looking down as she smoothed gently her own belly.
A few seconds had to pass for Emma's mind to catch up, to be able to understand what her mother really meant. She gazed down to the other woman's middle, but the not yet visibly swollen area didn't give her much confirmation. Complately at a loss for words, Emma's eyebrows raised as her mouth opened to say something anyway. Mostly something nice, because the pregnant woman just looked so delighted, and certainly was expecting something similar from her daughter. Though all Emma could do was to offer a silent, smiling congratulation, while inside she was still unable to get over her shock.
Luckily Snow seemed to be content with her reaction to the big news, at least for the time being. She only released a deep sigh as they resumed their walking and didn't push for further discussion, giving Emma time to adjust. Too deep in her thoughts, the next thing Emma became aware of was Henry stopping right in front of her with an almost as happy expession on his face as the one Snow had minutes ago.
"Ma! Guess who is gonna be a big brother?" He beamed, and above his head Emma caught Regina's eyes breafly, the woman wearing an almost shameful expression on her face. She must be as worried about her child's reaction to the arriving family member as Snow was. Both of her and Henry's mother felt guilty above being happy about having a second child. They shouldn't though. The Saviour suddenly felt a pang of guilt at the realisation.
"And have you heared who is going to be a big sister?" Snow teased Henry, gesturing to his blonde mother.
"Oh wow, grandma, congratulations!" He said with amusement before he happily hugged his grandmother.
"Thank you, Henry! I'm so glad you are this happy about the babies." Confessed Snow definitely relieved.
After Henry went back to his other mom's side, Snow felt safe to ask Emma further, not wanting anything to get between them. "And what about you? How do you really feel about this?"
"I'm happy... I guess." She hesitated firts, then added, "It is good to see you happy, but it is also a bit too much to take in too fast. I hope no one else is pregnant, because I think I couldn't take that." She continued with her usual playfulness, desperately trying to lighten the mood. "But it can also be understandable, because the Enchanted Forest doesn't look like a place with too many opportunities to have birth control."
"Emma..." Whispered Snow, giving her daughter a grim look -which made Emma's laughing to stop abruptly, then looking at the party before them to check if they were listening. "Don't ever talk in front of her about that, okay? Not even as a joke!" She warns the blonde, obviously referring to Regina.
"Okay, okay I get it." Emma apologized frowning, not truly understanding the situation. There was definitely something else about Regina, which Snow wasn't telling her.
"You really should watch what you are saying around her when you two start your magic lessons. You are going to spend a lot of time together."
"It would help a lot if you would tell me what is wrong with her."
"That is a very long story, but she is okay for now. And I don't really want to talk about her right now. I 'd rather listen to you telling me about your year with Henry in New York."
After the both emotionally and physically draining afternoon, Regina wanted nothing more than to lay down and sleep. Henry was talking almost continually to her, sharing every experience he had, one after the other as the events kept coming from his juvenile mind. Truth be told, they had a year to make up for, and beside that he was always a talker when excited. He spoke all the way back to the castle, but he only started his monolog after asking with pure concern, if she was really okay. Robin on her other side, holding her hand just as Henry did with her left one. Both squeezing her cold fingers as a reassurance, and there was so much love in their eyes that she almost couldn't take it.
Then Regina told her prince with tears in her eyes, that she was just feeling weak because she was expecting a baby. She was beyond relieved when he hugged her, never imagining a reaction like this. And she felt even more happy when he didn't ask any further questions, instead run back happily to the two Charming women for a short chat. She heaved a sigh of relief, because there were things she whished she would never have to tell him, dark and painful things. She hoped that she can protect him from them, maybe with Emma, the two of them could succeed. Everyone hoped for that. Yes, Emma, The Saviour. She is going to save them. She is going to save her baby, too.
When the five of them finally arrived to the castle -and after David greeted his daughter and grandson with hugs, Henry was still telling them stories, even shared some of Emma's funny ones. He didn't stop while Snow, Charming, Regina and Robin showed Emma and him aroud the huge royal building and guided the two of them to their own chambers. Though halfway through the tour, Regina had to sit down and rest a bit, she wouldn't want to scare Henry with collapsing right next to him. Robin brought her a glass of water and some snacks from the kitchen, while the others continued with the tour.
During dinner Regina welcomed the calm silence of the table as much as the fair amount of delicious food. Being sated made her feel even more tired. Soon, with Robin they excused themselves to retire into their chamber, and she fell asleep as soon as her head reached the pillow, giving them no chance to discuss the day's events. But also giving Robin the opportunity to admire his beautiful lover, to caress her soft feathers, to hold protectively her small belly which hid their tiny child. The child who maybe won't ever know how he or she saved their mother from the most terrible curse.
After hardly two hours of sleep, Regina tonight again woke up screaming Roland's name.
Thank you for reading! Please share your thoughts with me! What do you think happened during those two months? Where is Roland? How is Regina? Why did they bring back Emma and Henry? Do you like them coming to the EF?
This is still OQ, don't worry! ;)