April 22nd 2013
David was hunched over in a chair, his eyes fixed on the door leading to the room where Regina was being tended to. His stomach twisted at every pained screams that leaked through the door. What were they doing to her?
Emma had left her father to start the necessary paperwork. Apparently, the fairy tale characters had decided to keep with the administration of this world. She tried to ignore the looks of hate, contempt, or resentment from the staff. One of them had the temerity to tell her that they should have left her to die. She grabbed the man by the lapels of his white coat and threatened him with his life if he said one more word about wishing the mayor dead. She would have to call Mary Margaret soon and she didn't want Henry to see how the hospital staff was treating his mother. But she would wait before making the call; Henry was a human lie detector like herself and she wanted to be able to tell him the truth and not the usual platitudes. She needed to talk to Whale and make sure Regina would be fine. Because she had to be fine. There were no other alternatives in her mind.
She turned toward the second reason she had to wait to make the call. David hadn't moved since they had been shown to the waiting area. His eyes were fixed on the door, unseeing. She knew they would have to address their situation. He had conceived a child with his stepmother-in-law. She pinched her nose, feeling the strong headache coming - the same headache she would get each time she thought about her family tree. She still couldn't reconcile the image of Regina as Snow's stepmother. How old had she been? The mayor and Mary Margaret couldn't be more than a few years apart from each other in age. She was technically older than her parents as well, maybe close to Regina's age. Regina should have been Snow's sister, not her stepmother. She shook her head to stop her thoughts. She had spent enough nights lying awake on the cold forest ground to know that nothing productive would come out of it.
Emma could see that her father cared deeply for the mayor and she knew he needed some time before he confronted his wife. He also needed a change of clothes. His were soaked with Regina's blood from carrying her and holding her in the truck. She turned toward one of the nurses. "Any chance I could borrow some scrubs for David?" She still couldn't refer to him as his father in public. "Henry is coming here and I don't want him to see this."
The nurse nodded. She may not like the mayor much but she was very fond of Henry. He didn't deserve to see his grandfather drenched in his mother's blood. "I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you."
Emma sat next to her father, placing her hand softly on his shoulder. "I asked the nurse to bring you some scrubs." The man didn't react so Emma pressed on. "Henry and Mary Margaret are coming here. I need to make that call. I don't want Henry to see his mother's blood over your shirt. And I think you need a cold shower before explaining to your wife why Regina is in the hospital."
Her harsh tone had the desired effect. He nodded once. "Once we know more."
Emma nodded and waited by her father, trying to restrain herself from asking all the burning questions. From his reaction at the mansion, she gathered that he didn't know about the baby. However, his relationship with Regina was clearly beyond friendship and the orphaned girl buried deep inside her couldn't help but fear that she had already lost her parents. She had been in homes where the 'parents' were going through a divorce. And her experience told her that the kids were always the ones to suffer.
EC
Regina whimpered when they moved her to the gurney and rushed her to the emergency room. She felt the reassuring presence of Sarah and Regina tried her best to follow her instructions and stay calm. But everything hurt so much. She just wanted to sleep. She screamed when they moved her again. She felt Whale's hand rubbing her arm. He was talking to her but she couldn't process the words. She felt a needle pricking her skin and she whimpered more from fright than pain.
After installing her IV, Sarah took the mayor's hand and gently rubbed her tear-stained cheeks. "Regina, we gave you something for the pain. You should feel better in just a minute."
Regina could feel the numbing feeling spreading through her body and she gave Sarah a weak smile. She whimpered when she felt her clothes being cut away from her. She tried to move but Sarah held her hand more firmly. "Shh… We just need to have a look." But Regina wasn't listening, the feeling of her clothes being ripped off was bringing back memories of another time, a time where she was a young girl married to a man old enough to be her father. She cried out when they removed her panties. "Regina, we won't hurt you. "
Whale took Regina's free hand and gave it a light squeeze. He remembered his bedside manners from his years as Dr. Whale under the curse. They hadn't been perfect but seemed to make his patients more at ease than his Frankenstein demeanor. He had read the books about him this world had to offer. They were far from the truth, a fact that the townspeople had been willing to accept given the inaccuracies in their own stories. "We're going to help you."
Whale waited for the woman to settle down before continuing with his test. Sarah kept talking soothingly to the former Queen. She was sobbing now and the nurse knew it was more from fear than pain. Sarah had witnessed Regina's transformation into the Evil Queen. The harsh tone had replaced her shy voice and her eyes had progressively turned cold and uncaring over the years spent in Leopold's court. But when she looked into the eyes of the mayor now, she saw the same fear reflected in those brown orbs as she had seen all these years ago when the Queen was merely a child.
EC
Sarah was helping the Queen into her dress. She was supposed to accompany Princess Snow to her riding lesson. She knew Regina loved to ride, but the King had forbidden it since she was now with child. The whole marriage was a tragedy. Regina was barely out of childhood herself but she had to bear the responsibilities of a mother and a wife. She was but a child in a woman's body. A fact her mother had taken advantage of if the rumors were to be believed. Regina seemed resigned to her fate now but Sarah couldn't help but wonder what Regina had been like before she saved Snow.
Regina whimpered when Sarah adjusted her corset. "Your Majesty?"
The Queen bit her lip. Her mother and husband have both taught her that it was unacceptable to show any discomfort. "I'm fine."
Her voice was barely over a whisper. Sarah turned to look at the Queen. "What's wrong?"
Regina sobbed. The additional pressure from the corset made the pain unbearable. White spots were dancing in front of her eyes and she was clenching the bed post, her knuckles white from the effort. Sarah gently unlaced the corset and watched the relief spread across the child's features. "Does it feel better?"
Regina nodded, able to breathe more easily. Sarah finished removing her corset and helped the Queen sit on the edge of the bed. "Are you in pain?" Regina looked away in shame. Sarah rubbed her arm soothingly. "Where does it hurt?" After a few minutes of silence, she prompted the Queen one more time. "It's ok. You can tell me."
Regina mumbled the words. "My stomach. Like during my time of the month but more intense."
Sarah helped the Queen to lay down. She suspected the worst but asked Regina for confirmation. "Are you bleeding?" Regina nodded. Sarah wrapped a blanket around the shaking form of the child and sent for the royal doctor.
The Queen had stayed in bed for two days. The King had never visited her. He was concerned about the effect that Regina's miscarriage would have on Snow so he spent his days with his precious daughter, trying to distract her for not being able to visit her stepmother. In the meantime, his hurt and frightened sixteen-year-old wife was going through her first miscarriage alone.
Sarah had stayed with her, trying to alleviate some of the pain. The cramping subsided after the second day but the Queen was still sobbing and whimpering on the bed. Her crying was on the verge of hysteria. After dealing with the physical pain, Sarah knew she would have to come to terms with losing her child. As she was applying a cool cloth on the Queen's forehead, the child opened her eyes. Her brown orbs were filled with pain and fear. Sarah held back her tears and dabbed the Queen's face with the cool cloth. "Almost over."
Regina shook her head. "I'll have to go back. He'll make me go back."
Sarah didn't have to ask what the Queen meant. Four weeks later Regina had her periods. Two weeks after that she was marched to the King's chambers. All Sarah could do was wait for the child with a warm bath.
EC
Sarah was pulled out of her memories by a loud yelp. Whale had applied the gel and the cool sensation surprised the mayor more than it hurt her. However, she screamed in pain when Whale moved the transducer over her abdomen. All gasped in horror at the pictures on the screen. "She needs surgery. NOW!" Whale's scream sprang them into action and they started moving Regina toward the surgical theater.
Emma was shaken from her thoughts when the doors opened in a crash. The medical team was wheeling Regina's bed quickly toward the elevator. Before she could come to her senses, her father had leapt from his chair and rushed to Regina's side. David grabbed the railing of the bed and tried to keep pace with the others before they stopped in front of the elevator. He ran the back of his fingers over her forehead.
Regina settled her gaze on David and breathed heavily from relief. Sarah noticed the change in the mayor and silently thanked the Prince for not abandoning her. Whale was trying to get David's attention but he couldn't tear himself from Regina. He turned to Emma and delivered the news. She swallowed the bile rising from her stomach. How would she explain to her son that he may very well be losing his mother? She thanked the doctor before moving away to make the dreaded call.
Regina was as pale as the sheet they had haphazardly thrown over her body to move her. Her eyes were glassy and her breathing labored. David leaned down and kissed her forehead. She leaned into his kiss and he smiled at the gesture. He whispered in her ear. "They're going to take good care of you."
Regina lifted her hand toward the Prince's. David took her hand and gave it a light squeeze. She held his gaze and whispered. "I brought Emma and Snow back to you and Henry." She swallowed. "That's all that matters."
The elevator doors opened and they wheeled her inside. David exchanged a quick look with Sarah, his own fear mirrored in her eyes. "No. You matter too. I'll never be able to thank you enough for bringing my wife and daughter back... But I'll never forgive you if you give up now… You're family. And I'm NOT giving up on you." He watched her closely as he enunciated every word. "You need to keep fighting."
Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. She shook her head weakly. "I'm so tired." Her body was finally numb and she felt safe surrounded by the only two individuals who had ever cared for her. She didn't want to fight any longer. She could no longer feel pain nor sorrow and she wanted to listen to the voice inside her that kept whispering to stop fighting. If she gave up, there would be no more pain.
David stroke her hair. "I know. Just a little bit longer." He watched helplessly as Regina closed her eyes. He leaned in further so she was the only one to hear his words. "Please, don't leave me. You mean so much to me. More than you know."
Regina gave no sign of having heard David. The doors opened suddenly, breaking the moment. The surgical team was ready for her and David was gently pushed aside as they wheeled her into the theater. He watched desperately as the doors closed behind her. Sarah grabbed the Prince's bicep gently. "I will go with her. But you need to go back to your family."
David nodded, his eyes still fixed where he had last seen Regina. "Don't let her give up."
Sarah squeezed his arm. "I won't. But you need to go back to your family." Sarah didn't want Regina to suffer more than she already had. And her relationship with the Prince, whatever that may be, would only cause her more pain. Eventually, he would choose Snow White over Regina. They all did. And Regina would be left with a broken heart. Maybe it would be better if it happened sooner rather than later. David walked toward the elevator slowly. Sarah caught the man. "I'd suggest a change of clothes first."
David looked down at his bloody shirt and jeans. Sarah handed him fresh scrubs and pointed toward the direction of the shower. "Take all the time you need."
He murmured his thanks before heading toward the much needed shower. He let the hot water run over him. In the privacy of the stall, he let the tears flow. He needed to stay strong for his family but as he replayed the last few hours in his head, he couldn't shake the feeling that he may never be able to see Regina again. Desperation left its place to anger. Why hadn't she told him? He could have made sure she received medical attention. He knew she hadn't seen a doctor. Given her history, why would she be so careless? He turned the hot water to a scorching temperature. It was his fault. She didn't tell him about the baby because she thought he would take her child away. Just like he had taken Henry from her. If Regina died tonight, it would be his fault. He would be the one to destroy his family.
ECECEC
April 10th 2013
David slid in the booth across from her. "Sorry, I'm late."
Regina couldn't suppress the smile that graced her lips. "That's my line."
David looked at her confused until he remembered her crashing his wedding. He gave her a pointed look that sent a wave of laughter through the mayor. He smirked. "Sorry I was distracted by your outfit at the time." Regina gasped in surprise. She didn't think David would ever respond to her light banter or openly admit to lusting over her. He smiled. "What is it Regina? Cat got your tongue?"
She smirked back. "I never repaid you in kind for trying to impale me with your sword!"
"So you know, I was particularly fond of that sword. Any chance I could get it back?"
She replied dismissively. "It may be somewhere in my vault."
He smiled. "You know exactly where it is." His smile grew at the surprise on her face. "I'm starting to be very good at reading you, Your Majesty."
Ruby came with their order. A chicken salad for her and a cheeseburger and fries for him. He looked at Ruby in surprise. Regina didn't let him talk. "I took the liberty to order for you."
He smiled. Apparently, she had also started to get to know him better. For some reason, this knowledge made him happy. Ruby looked at the two unlikely friends before taking her leave. She had grown more and more uncomfortable in their presence. Her wolf nose could smell the pheromones in the air and she wasn't particularly thrilled about the situation. She knew that they both denied their mutual attraction and they weren't responsible for the way their bodies reacted. But one day, they would not be able to resist the pull. She just hoped that Snow would be back before the inevitable happened.
Regina took a bite of her salad before addressing the Prince. "So what did you want to talk about?"
David replied in-between two mouthful of burger. "Henry actually."
Regina let her fork fall on her plate, worry in her eyes. The diner fell quiet, waiting for the next problem to come their way. "Is he alright?"
David swallowed his fries quickly to reassure the woman in front of him. "He is fine… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to worry you."
Regina let out a sharp breath. "What is it then?"
David took another bite of his burger before responding. He hadn't had much time for breakfast this morning and he was starving. "Parent-teacher night is next week…"
"... and he wants you to go." She finished for him.
He could see the resignation in her eyes and his heart broke. "Actually, he asked if we could both go."
Regina looked up at him in shock, tears forming in her eyes. "Me too?"
David placed his hand over hers on the table. "You're his mother."
Regina shook her head. "We both know that's not true. Emma is. And once she is back, he won't need me anymore."
David knew this wasn't the case but mother and son had not been very good at talking with each other. No matter how many times he would tell Henry that Regina wouldn't be mad if he wanted to go home, his grandson had refused to make the first step. And Regina couldn't believe that Henry wanted anything to do with her. For the past few weeks, he had played messenger between the two of them but for their sake, he needed to put a stop to it. "Are you going to go?"
Regina feigned offense. "Of course, I will! It's my duty." Deep down, she was thrilled to still be a small part of his life.
They ate the rest of their meal in companionable silence. David was carefully examining Regina's appearance. She seemed to have lost some weight and her olive complexion was somewhat paler than usual. He knew she hadn't been sleeping well and her make-up could barely conceal the dark circles under her eyes. "How about we go for a barbecue on Saturday? I know Henry has been dying to play with his new kite."
Regina looked at him surprised. "Kite?
David nodded and swallowed another bite of his burger. "A gift from Gepetto."
She smiled at him. "I'd love to. What should I make?"
David smiled back. "How about you let me handle the food?"
"Are you sure that's wise, shepherd?"
"Why don't you trust me for once?"
She wanted to trust him although she would never admit it to him. "Fine. I will keep you personally responsible for any food poisoning that will result from your cooking."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Your Majesty!" He smirked as he called her by her former title. She laughed but hissed at the sudden pain in her lower abdomen. David reached for her upper arm. "Are you alright?"
Regina saw the concern in his deep blue eyes. Similar blue eyes had shown the same concern for her once. "I'm fine." She gave him what could pass for a reassuring smile.
David let go of the subject. His recent experience with Regina had taught him two things. First, she would never admit to pain and second, her temper could sometimes get the best of her. He didn't want to start an incident that would turn the town against her again. For the past few weeks, they had decided to just leave her alone since she wasn't hurting anyone. And since they suspected she had her magic back, they didn't really want to confront the beast. However, David knew the she had kept her promise to Henry and her lack of practice would not make her the formidable enemy the town feared. For her own safety, he had kept this information to himself. He could see the pain in her eyes and decided on a change of subject, one the would hopefully bring a smile to her face. "You said you would tell me. About Henry… about when you adopted him."
Regina let out her breath. She was grateful for him not to probe further. She smiled. "I did, didn't I?" David placed his head in his hands, elbows firmly set on the table. Regina couldn't help but chuckle at his childish behavior. "Gold arranged for the adoption. I drove to Boston to meet Henry. He was but a newborn. So small and beautiful."
She smiled fondly at the recollection, a smile that reached her eyes. They were so few of them and David couldn't shake the thought of how beautiful she was when she allowed herself to be happy. "I stayed in a hotel room for a few days while the paperwork was being drawn and they did all the necessary background checks. It was my first time out of Storybrooke so I spent some of it visiting this world. The curse had been thorough but after almost 20 years, things had changed drastically in the real world and I wanted to bring some of those changes back to Storybrooke." She took a sip of her water before continuing. "I also bought almost the entire toy store! I had Gepetto build the heaviest pieces of furniture but this town lacks a proper children store."
David smiled. He knew that Henry had been spoiled rotten by his adoptive mother. He had spent a few hours in his room packing some of the things that his grandson had insisted were necessary for his survival. But hearing it from Regina herself warmed his heart. He stayed silent and let Regina continued. "After a few days, I was declared fit to adopt." She chuckled. "I guess not mentioning former Evil Queen on my resume helped things along." David noticed the use of the word 'former'. He wondered when she had started to change. The last he had seen Regina was before the curse, at the height of her craziness. But although nothing had changed in thirty years for the rest of Storybrooke, she had been able to with her memories intact. Her redemption hadn't started after he took Henry. It had started long before Henry came into her life. Her decision to adopt Henry was the result of twenty years of change, of trying to find her redemption, trying to find someone who would love her. He was holding back his tears. Her life hadn't been full of love and he had just taken the last person who had truly loved her. Yet, she was still fighting. She hadn't given up yet and it was truly admirable.
"As soon as we left the adoption agency and I placed him in the car seat, Henry cried." She shook her head. "He screamed his lungs out the entire ride back to Storybrooke. And he kept crying through the night, and the following morning, and the day after that. I didn't know what to do. People were trying to give me advice but …" She never finished the sentence. She didn't need to. One thing that hadn't changed was her stubbornness and David didn't need to be told that she didn't listen to anyone.
"I didn't know what to do. I had failed as a parent." She looked down and David squeezed her hand. "But I knew I had no right to give up on him. He already had a tough start in life and my only job was to do everything in my power to make him happy…. I wanted … I wanted to give him the world." She swallowed hard. "But children can sense the darkness in people and my heart is as dark as they come. I wanted a child to fill the void inside but I never considered that Henry would also make the light shine through the darkness. I needed to show him the good part of my heart, the part that would be able to love him despite…. despite my past, despite everything I had done." She was holding back the tears and averted her eyes from David. "So I started telling him stories about princes and princesses, the same stories my father used to tell me when I was a little girl. When I was naive enough to think that a prince would come to save me." She wiped away the lone tear that has escaped from her eyes. "Once I was honest with him, he quieted down. Those first few months after his adoption were the happiest of my life." The smile David had been hoping for was gracing her features once more.
Thank you for the reviews and comments. And thank you to me beta for checking the consistency of the story (flashbacks are hard)