"Oh good, we can still pass you off as having just had a large meal," Cora mused as she glanced over the form of her daughter. Regina stood obediently in the middle of the room as her mother walked circles around her, a shark circling its prey. "Though it will be suspicious if…" Her lips pursed in thought as she stopped directly in front of Regina, her eyes studying the small bump just beginning to show. Without a word, Cora turned to one of the many cabinets in her personal study and sifted through the vials nestled inside. Her fingers stopped on one and she pulled it out to look it over. Satisfied, she then brought it over to Regina and held it out. "Quickly, drink half of this. That should hold you off long enough."
Regina took the vial in her hand, her eyes skeptical. "Mother, what is this?"
"This will protect you and your daughter. Now drink up."
Regina's hand went to her stomach, afraid of the true intentions of her mother. Cora rolled her eyes and snapped, "Oh you foolish child, I have no intention of harming your bastard. This is just to stop the growth long enough for you to marry and carry it for nine months after that. Now drink."
With her mother's eyes on her, Regina had no choice but to force down the potion. As soon as it passed her through, she felt her insides grow cold. She stumbled to the couch and fell onto it, her knees pulled up to her chest. Then something froze. It was one of the most uncomfortable feelings she had ever experienced. Her eyes closed as she thought about what she had just done. Her poor daughter, stuck in that state until an imposter deemed it appropriate for her to be.
Cora continued to bustle about, not noticing her daughter's distress. Regina stood up suddenly, cutting off whatever rant Cora had been in the middle of. "I need to lay down."
"Of course, dear. You need your rest for tomorrow," Cora couldn't contain her excitement. Regina felt herself grow sick at the sight. She promised herself right then that no matter what, she would never treat her own child like she had been treated her entire life. With a stiff nod, Regina walked as quickly as decorum would allow from the room. Once out of sight of her mother, she began running, but not to her room.
Daniel was already at the barn door, waiting for her. His worried eyes lit up when he saw her apparently unharmed. He hadn't realized a knot had formed in his stomach until he felt it loosen when he saw her. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she buried her face in his chest, breathing in the scent of him. Already she felt better. His arms surrounded her, holding her steady. Once she had caught her breath, Regina looked up into his eyes which were still so full of love. The rest of her worry melted away at the look. She had been so worried that with his heart now in her mother's grasp, his love would have diminished for her. A silly thought but one that had been on her mind since the previous night. Their lips found each other and they shared a kiss.
Regina pulled away too soon, feeling guilty for everything that was happening. "If you wish to go, I'd understand," she told him softly, not wanting him to leave but his happiness was more important than hers. Especially knowing what they would have to fight against if he stayed.
Daniel took her chin between his thumb and the knuckle of his forefinger to lift her face until he could look in her eyes. "I will never leave your side," he promised. His eyes travelled down to her stomach and a softness took over his features. "Or her side." Regina let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in.
"We may have to wait a while longer for her to join us," she told him, her head once again resting on his chest. "Mother is keeping her frozen like this for another 9 months."
Daniel could hear the tears she tried to fight back and was distracted by the sadness in her voice. But then the words sunk in. "She what?" He had grown stiff against her and his soft tone worried Regina. She placed her hands on either cheek and tried to get him to look at her.
"Daniel, please. It's best for her." Even if she didn't believe it herself, she knew fighting anything would do no good. They couldn't win against Cora and they couldn't win against the king. Protecting their daughter was the only way she could think of to calm him down. But he wouldn't.
"No, Regina. If I am to be a father I have to start doing what's best for our family. Even if it means standing up to your mother."
"Daniel, wait!" Her arms reached for him as he stormed out of the barn door. "Daniel!" she yelled again and gave chase. Until her stomach clenched and her body froze up. She saw the ground coming up to meet her. 'I knew I shouldn't have trusted her,' was the last thought she had before she hit the ground.
A/N: I know, there's no way to know what the sex of the baby is this early on in the pregnancy. BUT we live in a land of magic. Anything is possible (; On a side note, I will be going on vacation soon. I hope to have one more update before I leave but if not, I'm sorry! I'll get back to these as soon as possible!