"We have to get to the hospital." David said, trying to sound as calm as possible.
"David, there's no way we can get there in this weath-" She was cut off by a painful contraction and she screamed.
"What do you want me to do?" David asked, a little upset about snow interfering.
"I don't know. Think of something!"
She tried to remember her Lamaze breathing, but it was more painful than she was expecting.
"Umm...I thought you weren't due for another week?"
"David!" She screamed a little more aggressively than she had intended.
"Right! Uhhhh...Ummmmm..." He was now pacing, trying to figure something out. "Dr. Whale?"
"You can try, but...I don't know if he'll be able to make it."
"Well, we'll just have to try and see what we can do."
Her contractions were irregular at first, but she remembered Dr. Whale saying that it was normal at the beginning of labor. David brought her over to lie down on a blanket in front of the fire, because standing and walking usually makes contractions stronger. Unfortunately, lying down does not make contractions go away, but it would make them a little less painful for her.
David called Dr. Whale and he said he'd try his best to make it in the storm.
He sat next to her, holding her hand as her contractions became regular, about ten to fifteen minutes apart starting in her back and moving to her lower abdomen.
Every contraction that came, she squeezed David's forearm tighter and he almost screamed, too. He didn't realize how strong she was. But being in labor definitely contributed.
"I should go get-"
"No. Please don't go."
"I'll be right back. I'm just going to get you some more pillows and a washcloth."
He kissed her on the forehead and left. After giving her the pillows, he went to the kitchen to get a bowl of water and washcloth and he returned to her.
Her contractions were getting closer. They were seven minutes apart and they started to get worried that Dr. Whale wouldn't make it on time.
David put the wet washcloth to her forehead as she was sweating.
"I'm sorry we couldn't make it to the hospital." David said.
"No, don't apologize, David. It's not your-" Another contraction came and she fought back a scream as she said 'fault' through her grinding teeth.
"Our relationship took a turn after I lost Leopold's baby."
"I remember. Let's not talk about that right now-"
"No, you should hear this. You told me that day, that I would be able to carry a baby with the right man to be a father..."
"I did."
"You were right. I got you."
A tear fell down his cheek and Regina fought back another scream as they heard a knocking at the door.
"That's probably Dr. Whale. I'll get it." He pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and he stood up as he quickly went to the front door.
"Dr. Whale. She's right in there."
Dr. Whale rushed to the side of the fireplace with his medical bag. David followed and they both knelt down on opposite sides of her.
"How far apart are they?" Dr. Whale asked.
"About five minutes?" David answered for her, since she seemed to be having another one at the moment.
"It's early, Dr. Whale." Regina said, sounding worried.
"It happens all the time. Have you been staying free of stress like I told you?"
"Yes...Well... until-"
She shot a quick look at David and he looked up guiltily at Dr. Whale, who gave him a disappointed and utterly annoyed look.
"What? I'm-I-"
Dr. Whale rolled his eyes and returned his attention to Regina.
"It's gonna be okay, Regina. I promise."
David cocked his head to the side slightly and furrowed his brow when he noticed the way Dr. Whale weakly smiled at her. Even the way she smiled back at him. Why was Whale all of a sudden so concerned with the Evil Queen's well-being?
"Victor, I-"
"Sssshhhh...It's alright, Regina."
"Victor?" David was wondering how they got in a first name basis.
"They're getting closer together." Whale said, referring back to Regina's contractions, ignoring David's curiosity.
About an hour went by before it was time to push and Regina held David's hand as he put the wash cloth to her head for the last time.
"It's time to push, Reggi." Victor said.
"I can't." She sobbed.
Victor moved to her side again and he moved in close to her, their faces inches apart.
"Listen, Regina. You've endured so much in your life. Don't quit doing so right now. You can do this." He whispered.
She nodded slowly as she closed her eyes and Victor moved back to his original position, ready for the baby.
Regina noticed the way that David looked at Victor as if her were jealous. As if he knew something was up. He looked down at her and he saw the look in her eyes. It was almost a look of apology. As if she was afraid of hurting him. She didn't know what to do anymore.
"Come on, Regina. Push!" Victor said and she pushed.
"One more push. You're doing great, Hon."
"You can do it, Regina." David said, trying to pretend he didn't hear Victor calling her 'Hon.'
She gave one last push and they heard the cries of their baby girl. Victor removed the clamps from his disposable packaging and began to cut the umbilical cord when he looked at David and the back to Regina. He shook his head.
"I'm sorry. You should probably be the one to-Uh-" Victor handed the scissors to David, as he looked down, avoiding looking David in the eye.
"Thanks." David said awkwardly as he took the scissors.
He cut the umbilical cord and gave he scissors back to Victor.
"Hold on one second." Victor said with a large grin on his face as he looked at the baby girl.
He cleaned the baby and checked for any birth defects. He turned back around and handed the baby to Regina.
"She's perfectly healthy...You did it, Regina. You were wonderful." Victor's smile faded when Regina turned and smiled at David.
"You did it." David said as he held onto the tiny hand with his finger.
"WE did it." Regina answered.
David kissed her on the forehead and Victor looked away.
"I'll-Uh-I should be going." Victor said sadly as he stood.
"Victor. Wait, I-" Regina's smile faded.
"It's okay, Regina. I'll come and check on you in the morning."
"You shouldn't leave in this weath-"
"I agree. It's terrible out there." David said.
"I'll be alright."
"But-" Regina began.
"Please...Don't worry. I'll be fine."
Regina gave him a weak smile and she lightly nodded as he smiled at the infant and left. Regina kept her daze on the front door minutes after it had closed as David kissed the baby. She felt a wave of guilt, but she was too tired and exhausted to fight the deep sleep that she fell under the second David took the baby from her.