A/N - A little bit of angst, a little bit of progress, a lot of questions, haha.
Ok, so, to be clear, the timeline in this follows canon up to the 3b finale. Everything after that still happened, but with the understanding that Regina and Emma broke Zelena's curse- which means, Frozen, Camelot & Dark Swan, the Black Fairy all happened with Emma and Regina as a couple. I know Emma and Henry are technically the only ones who can leave, but with so many curses after Zelena's, I've lost track of the line and its restrictions; so, needing a personal item still stands. Also, if you noticed, I changed the name of Zelena's daughter because I always thought that was always super creepy.
After a few days, life in the Swan-Mills household began to settle. As much as it could with Regina's memory still gone and Mother Gothel's whereabouts still unknown. Henry hadn't told his mothers what Gold showed him, and every time he was about to, Emma and Regina appeared to be in another fight. It never seemed to be the right time, though Henry suspected such a thing didn't exist. How does one tell their parents that Mother Gothel wants their unborn child?
Zelena, for the most part, kept a close watch on the women. Only intervening when their magic collided and sent the lights flickering or the floors shaking; mindful of both Emma and Regina's wellbeing, especially her sister's. While she knew Emma would never put either Regina or the baby in danger, the eldest Mills played the role of protective sister dutifully.
By the end of the week, a routine of sorts had finally been established. Emma spent most of the days at the station or in the library, while Regina griped about not being able to go into the office. When both Emma and Zelena agreed that under the circumstances, she'd be safer at home, Regina reluctantly heeded their advice. Though she refused to play the role of housewife. No, while Emma was away, Regina did a bit of her own research. Having conjured her own books and scrolls, Regina filtered through her limited knowledge of Mother Gothel and how to defeat her.
After nine days— after she could no longer stand to witness Regina and Emma continue to fall apart— Zelena took it upon herself to help them. With Henry's assistance, the former Wicked Witch cleaned the house, set the table, and cooked dinner for the women. When Regina asked what she was up to, Zelena simply shrugged and said she wanted to make a family meal. But, when Emma returned from work, late as usual, Zelena cornered the two at the table.
"Henry and I shall be back in two hours," she announced, balancing Giselle on her hip.
Regina, unamused and unimpressed, narrowed her eyes at Zelena. "What happened to a family meal?"
"Oh, that," Zelena waved a hand, "I lied. You and Emma are going to enjoy a dinner together. Perhaps you'll even make it without the house falling apart."
Her jaw hanging open slightly, Emma blinked. "I'm… I don't know if that's such a good—"
"Hush," the redhead admonished. "You two have a lot to discuss. This is simply a chance to start."
With an apologetic glance at his mothers, Henry sighed. "I know this isn't how we usually solve things in this family— and I know it won't fix things. But you can't keep avoiding each other. It's… it's not healthy."
"And forcing us to spend time together is?" Regina countered.
She watched as Henry's shoulders fell, somewhat guilty for her clipped tone. But Henry didn't take his eyes off of his mother. "I don't know," he replied honestly. "But like Aunt Z said. You gotta start somewhere."
With that, Henry, Zelena, and Giselle disappeared from the dining room. Emma and Regina listened to their footsteps grow fainter as they reached the door, heard the lock clicking into place. When an engine growled, Emma knew they were really on their own.
"We should've never taught her how to drive," the blonde grumbled. She meant to say 'you,' but decided against the blame game.
Gazing out at the feast Zelena and Henry had prepared, Regina tried to act as if she weren't hungry. As if her stomach hadn't been growling for the last hour. As if she weren't ready to finish an entire lasagna on her own.
Reaching for the salad bowl, Regina said nothing as she served herself. Emma followed suit and cut into the pan-seared chicken, purposely leaving out the sun-dried tomatoes it was topped with. Regina took notice of Emma's aversion to vegetables and couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Here," she muttered. "At least have something green."
Regina passed the bowl to Emma, who exchanged it with the chicken. "And you should have some protein," she pointed out. When Regina scoffed, Emma added, "Don't think I haven't noticed you sneaking extra bacon. Come on. It's good for you. Both of you."
With an aggravated sigh, Regina placed a few slices of chicken on her plate, as well as the sun-dried tomatoes. The scent of garlic hit her nose, and though she braced herself for a wave of nausea, she was pleasantly surprised when it never came.
They ate in silence for a bit. A few minutes silverware scratching together and lettuce crunching beneath their forks. Emma started with the chicken, while Regina began with her salad. A basket of rolls sat untouched, as did a small bowl of coleslaw. Zelena's menu was rather unconventional, that much was certain.
"So…" Emma exhaled. "How are you feeling?"
"I haven't remembered anything, if that's what you're asking," Regina said curtly.
Looking up at Regina steadily, Emma said, "I wasn't."
Regina was taken aback by the sincerity in Emma's eyes, though she knew she shouldn't have been. She saw the same thing every other time their gazes met. She'd just been doing her damnedest to ignored it. "In that case, I'm feeling fine."
"No morning sickness? Or cramps? Trouble sleeping?" Emma rattled off.
Regina shook her head slightly. "No," she said. "Nothing."
Nodding to herself, as if she were reassured, Emma replied, "Good. That's good." They turned back to their meals awkwardly, unsure of what to say next. "We might have found something on Mother Gothel," she posed suddenly. Regina's head snapped up expectantly. "We know why she was so hellbent on keeping Rapunzel locked away," Emma explained. "Rapunzel's hair had some kind of magic that kept Gothel young."
Regina waited for more. "That's it?" She said haughtily when Emma merely reached for her drink. "I knew that," Regina scoffed. "Everyone knows that."
Somewhat embarrassed, Emma looked down at her plate, like a child being scolded for not studying for a test. "Oh."
"You mean to tell me that's all you've come up with? In five days, that's all you've got?" Tossing her hands into the air, Regina grumbled, "How the hell did I end up with someone so incompetent, she can't even—"
"Regina!" Emma exclaimed, dropping her fork and knife into the table. "Can we please go one night without ripping each other's throats out? Just… one night?" Fury cascaded through Regina's veins as she wrestled with her temper, her snarl softening somewhat as she turned back to her plate. When she felt that tone had been successfully tamed, Emma cleared her throat and shifted in her chair, unable to stop her knee from bouncing up and down. "There's- there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. Something I think we should figure out together."
"Alright. I'm listening."
Playing with the napkin in her lap, let the words she'd recited all day play back in her mind. "So, I've been thinking about the baby," Emma said. "I know this whole thing is really messed up—"
Regina scoffed. "How eloquent." Emma shot a look at Regina, one that could be read as apologetic or tired. "I'm sorry," Regina said honestly. "Go on."
"Henry told me he's been filling you in on stuff, going over all the big things that have happened to us. I don't know how much he's told you about the baby, but… but I want you to know how much we both wanted this," Emma said. "And even though things are… the way they were, I still want this. And I was thinking that, even if you don't have your memories, we should—"
"I'm going to stop you right there, Emma," Regina interjected. "If you think for one second that you can keep me away from this child, I swear to Hades you will—"
"Whoa, whoa, Regina, wait!" Emma shook her head. "I'd never do that to you." Regina's hand had flown over her bulge protectively, and Emma saw it. She swallowed hard before being able to continue, reminded herself for the hundredth time not to take it personally. "I love you," Emma blurted out. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean— I don't want to— look," she sighed. "I'm not expecting you to suddenly like me or… or love me. "
"Then what are you saying?" Regina asked, accusation still laced in her words.
"I know you love that baby just as much as I do," Emma tried to assauge. "Whatever else happens, I'm still in this. I just… I wanted you to know that I'm here. As a friend. If you want."
Every time Emma spoke, Regina grew increasingly agitated. Not because she didn't believe the Savior, but because of the passion that so clearly radiated in her bones. Regina had been trying to understand, reading and rereading the books, but nothing really helped. How was it that she and Emma ended up together? How had Emma been able to forgive her? How could she speak to Regina with such kindness and understanding?
When she found her voice again, Regina merely tilted her chin in gratitude. "Thank you. I suppose, then, in light of our… situation, we should set up some ground rules." For some odd reason, the words felt a bit raw on Regina's tongue, as if they didn't want to come out. As if she could sense that even suggesting such a thing was a betrayal of sorts.
"Ground rules?" Emma echoed. "Ok… yeah. Sure."
The air shifted slightly and Regina fell into a rather authoritative position across from Emma. Folding her hands over the table top, she crossed one leg over the other and addressed Emma as if she were addressing a lawyer— rather distant and uncertain. "You should know that, I've taken consideration of your concerns… and perhaps you were right, perhaps your feelings were overlooked. Though, I hardly believe it's my fault, as I was the one who lost my memory." Realizing that this would only lead to losing Emma's focus, Regina self-corrected and held Emma's gaze in silent commitment. "Until my memories return," if my memories return, Regina thought, "I think it would be best for us to continue sleeping in separate rooms."
Emma nodded slowly. "Yeah, totally. I get that."
"Good," said Regina. "And I'd appreciate it if physical contact remained at a minimum, unless, say, I'm falling down a cliff and you happen to be the one to catch me." She caught Emma smirking slightly, and as hard as she tried to ignore it, she couldn't help but feel somewhat proud of being the one to make Emma smile— even if it was rather morbid.
Emma shrugged half-heartedly and said, "We're not a couple. I mean are, or were… but to you, we're just barely friends. I'd never do anything to violate your comfort or your consent." Emma had fallen so madly in love with Regina over the years, the very notion of not being together absolutely crushed her. And yet, that's exactly where they were right now. She knew, though, that if there was any chance of them making it through this, she would have to start thinking of Regina less of her partner and more as Henry's other mother. "I, uh, I also wanted to apologize about last week," Emma murmured. Regina, completely intrigued by the blonde's admission, found herself leaning forward just a bit. "I shouldn't have spoken for you. You may not remember our life together, but you're still you. You've never needed my help— not really. I just… I got used to being the one to be that for you."
"What would that be, exactly?" Regina questioned.
Emma looked away and blinked slowly, "It doesn't matter." Shaking her head, as if to rid herself of the pain of longing, she turned back to Regina and gestured towards her stomach. "What matters now is that you two are safe. And even if you don't need me, I like to think I'm still needed."
Regina felt Emma wilt slowly, felt her slip away from their conversation and fall back into the memories of a life Regina couldn't relate to. A strange urge hit Regina, a desire to reach out and hold Emma's hand. It was a familiar sensation and yet still so foreign, she was just getting ready to ask Emma to talk to her when she felt a sharp jab in her side. Regina let out a startled hiss, her hand resting atop her stomach. This wasn't like before— it was far stronger than a simple nudge.
"What is it?" Emma asked, rushing to kneel at Regina's side.
A blank look flashed across the brunette's face as she shook her head in a dazed fashion. "I- I don't know."
Emma reached out tentatively and hovered over Regina's torso, aware that this was still not her Regina. "May I?" When Regina nodded numbly, she hadn't been anticipated a rush of warmth as Emma's hand brushed against hers. Something inside of her recognized Emma's touch, wanted to melt into it, knew that there was a safety to it. And when the corner of Emma's mouth perked up, Regina felt her heart flutter momentarily. "The baby's kicking," Emma said.
"Oh," Regina exhaled, as if the idea had never even occurred to her. "Does it… do that often?"
"This is the first time." A sadness flickered across Emma's face as she dropped her hand away from Regina, who suddenly felt as if something were missing.
Emma stood up to return to her seat, and Regina was suddenly overcome with the urge to call out to the woman, to beg her to stay next to her, to feel their skin brushing against each other once more. It was a craving Regina had never experienced before— or at least, not for a long time. But just as Emma fell back into her chair, Regina rid herself of such thoughts and retreated once more.
Dabbing her lips with her napkin, Regina rose to her feet slowly. "Right, well, I think I'm just going to lay down for a bit."
"Ok," Emma said. "I'll clean up here," she offered as she started stacking plates.
"Leave it," Regina waved a hand. "Zelena set it up. She can take it down. I think she owes us a little bit more."
When Henry could no longer keep it a secret, he told the one person he thought would understand the most. Well, given the situation.
"Aunt Z," Henry began cautiously, peering over at Zelena in the driver's seat. "Do you know anything about Mother Gothel?"
Shaking her head, both hands firmly on the wheel, the redhead replied, "Not much. Keeping track of everyone else in other realms wasn't exactly my priority."
Henry nodded as if he understood, when really, he was just trying to convince himself to come clean. "I think I know what she wants," he blurted out suddenly. He barely had enough time to grip the door handle before Zelena slammed on the breaks. In the backseat, Giselle giggled at the bumpy ride, thinking it was part of the fun.
Shrinking under his aunt's inquisitive glare, yet another similarity between Zelena and Regina, Henry let it all out. He told her about Gold calling him, about the book and the chapter on true love and magical babies. Guilt seeped through his pores as he relayed the little information he'd been holding onto so tightly, a secret he knew he shouldn't have been keeping.
"Your mothers don't know," Zelena said, already certain of the answer. Of course they didn't know; they'd have been running out like chickens with their heads cut off if they'd known. Henry shook his head and looked away. "We have to tell them. They need to be prepared."
"I know," the teenager agreed.
"They need to be warned. We have to protect that child," Zelena continued.
"I know," Henry echoed.
Shifting into drive, Zelena turned the car around, aimed for the manor. She was just about to punch the gas when a thought occurred to her. "Why did you come to me with this? Why not the Charmings? Or even your parents?"
Henry shrugged, fidgeting with his hands in his lap. "I dunno. I guess I thought… you know, the whole thing with you and grandma…"
It wasn't long before Zelena caught on. "You mean, when I tried to steal your uncle?" There was no malice or anger in her voice, but rather, resignation. Perhaps even a little remorse. "I see. Well, I did go to rather far lengths then. If Mother Gothel is after that baby— and if she's powerful enough to bring Cora back— then… then she'll be even more powerful." Glancing back at her own daughter, Zelena put a hand on Henry's shoulder. "Come on," she offered a consoling pat. "You need to talk to your mothers."