let me know what you think :) xoxo
a little time jump below...sorry for the wait!
"Grandpa, why did you really have me come into town with you?" Henry raised an eyebrow as they hopped into David's truck, shutting the passenger door, "Because I know you know where the ice cream aisle in the supermarket is, you've made enough trips for mom's cravings this month."
David grinned at the thought of Regina at home pouting, ordering he and Henry around in a queenly manner. She was only a couple of weeks away from her due date now and growing increasingly uncomfortable, her swollen belly making her tired and cranky for the most part. He'd learned to simply humor her moods, knowing she was spoiling for an argument, anything to get her mind off of how miserably pregnant she was. He couldn't help but find it cute and sometimes even funny, seeing her waddling around and even knocking stuff over with her bump. It wasn't that he didn't feel badly for how she felt or didn't try to help her, but the baby was becoming a reality and he only grew more excited with each adorable little fumble she made.
"I needed your opinion on something," He nodded, pulling out onto the street in his truck and heading in the direction of downtown Storybrooke, "Luckily Regina's cravings gave us a reason to get out of the house."
"Let's hope for everyone's sake the market has rocky road today," Henry glanced at his grandpa with wide eyes, "Last time she threatened to burn it down if they didn't keep it in stock."
Charming laughed, giving a shake of his head, "She's been in rare form, that's for sure. Actually I wanted to talk to you about something...I know everything is changing for our family rather quickly with Emma and Killian's wedding soon and the baby coming."
"Yeah I suppose," Henry replied, his gaze turning curious.
"Now that things are settling down and I don't think Zelena is a threat anymore, I was thinking of making your mom and mine's relationship a little more official," David glanced at his grandson, hoping the boy would be understanding. Henry had grown up overnight it seemed, being more mature than most in their family. He seemed to have an unusual wisdom for his years and David was counting on it.
"You're going to propose?" The boy broke into a wide grin to David's relief, "I knew it."
David smiled, "You did? How did you catch on? And you're okay with it?"
"Yeah, of course," He shrugged, "I knew you'd probably want to get married for the baby's sake anyways, but I know how much you love my mom. It was only a matter of time."
"I'm glad you like the idea," David said as he pulled into the vacant parking spot in front of the jeweler's store, "I had a ring sized, I want your opinion on it. You up for that?"
Henry smiled wider, glancing towards the store window before looking back at him, "You know I am."
"Knock knock," Granny announced herself as she made her way into Regina's home, making her way into the kitchen seeing Regina barefoot, spooning peanut butter out of a jar with a spoon. She had her mouth open in mid bite before closing it quickly at the site of the older woman, a frown crinkling her pretty features.
"What are you doing here?" She huffs embarassedly, putting the spoon back down in the jar quickly and setting it on the counter.
"That's no way to greet an old lady," Granny humored her, setting the grocery bags in her arms down, "Sit down, girl. I'm going to make dinner for you all."
"You don't have to do that," Regina started to protest before seeing the old wolf look over her glasses with an expression that let her know she need not argue, "Thanks," She grumbled, sitting down on one of the stools with a grunt.
"I bet you're ready for that baby to be here aren't you?" Granny smiled as she observed Regina moving rather slowly, "Did you take any birthin' classes?"
"Granny I think I'm old enough to know how it works," Regina chuckled, diverting her eyes from the older lady as if she was trying to hide her anxiety over it all.
"It's perfectly natural to be nervous Regina," Granny said in a softer tone as she busied herself with unpacking the grocery bags, "Every woman is with her first baby."
"I guess I never had much guidance in this area," Regina let out a breath, leaning in with her elbows on the counter to give her back a rest, "My mother never talked about anything of this nature with me. And while I'm more than old enough to have figured it all out by now I just...I guess I've never really spoken with someone...well...a mother about all of this."
Granny glanced up at her with a knowing glance, a hint of a warm smile coming to her features as she came over and put a hand on Regina's, "You're going to be fine, girl. And so is your baby. I'll tell you all you need to know."
Regina looked up at the older woman rather sheepishly, looking younger than Granny had ever seen her in that moment, "Like what, Granny?"
"Well, I'm not going to tell you it won't be difficult, it'll be hell," She advised frankly, "But I've never met anyone tougher than you Regina. You'll be fine, and you'll have David's support. When the doctor puts that baby in your arms, everything else is drown out. It'll be worth it."
The brunette nodded slowly, swallowing the lump in her throat, "Granny, would you be at the hospital for the birth...In case I need you?"
"I wouldn't miss it," Granny replied without hesitation, giving her hand a gentle squeeze that brought a small smile to Regina's watery expression.
"That was nice of Granny to come fix us dinner," David smiled at Regina as he got up from the table, starting to pick up there dishes after Henry had left for Emma's. Neal had fallen asleep early that evening, exhausted from a day of chasing around his new toy Regina had enchanted to keep him entertained.
David had found it fascinating to watch her play with the child with magic through the toy, having the stuffed animal raise in the air and skitter away from Neal when he'd giggle and try to catch it. Before he wouldn't have wanted Neal around magic, not fully understanding it and seeing more bad from it than good. Being with Regina had changed that, and he trusted her. Their baby would most likely have powers and David couldn't help but feel a little jealous that he wouldn't be able to share it with them. At least he would get to watch.
"She has her moments," Regina agreed, starting to get up from her chair to help him.
"Stay put, I've got this," He said leaning down to kiss her head as he picked up her plate and glass to take into the kitchen.
"You know if you keep spoiling me now I'm going to expect this when the baby is born," She smirked, following him with a few more plates as they casually took their places beside each other at the sink.
"I don't mind helping out with household chores, you know," David replied as he found the right temperature for the dish water, "What kind of old fashioned chump do you take me for?"
"Well to be fair I have seen you wielding a sword on horseback," She quipped, watching him wash a dish before handing it to her to dry. It was a method they'd perfected in recent evenings, wanting to be near each other after the drama that had kept them apart. Even a task as simple as washing dishes was a good excuse.
"True, but we both know you wear the pants in this house," He replied with a grin, tapping her nose with a soapy hand, leaving a bit of foam on her. He marveled in the way her eyes sparked with mischief when she realized what he did; he'd never tire of seeing her so full of life.
"What are you, five years old?" She laughed, hitting his arm with her dish towel playfully.
"I forgot the Queen doesn't believe in fun," He mocked her with a sassy tone before grinning at her testy expression. David, however, only took it as a challenge, scooping more suds from the sink and swiping it over her face, evoking a gasp from her pouted lips.
He watched her teeter between amusement and anger, the former luckily winning out as she let out a laugh and reached for the sprayer from the sink with a speed he hadn't seen for months. She extended the sprayer from its confine, holding it up at him like it was a loaded pistol with a impish expression as he raised his hands in surrender and took a step back.
"Regina!" His eyes grew wide as he was hit by a stream of water to the face, not expecting her to go that far, "Oh it's on," He smirked, spitting at the water hitting him as he turned to the side and grabbed her in his arms, making her yelp playfully in protest.
"Not so funny now is it?" He grinned as he pulled her into a bear hug, soaking her with his own wet clothing as the sprayer shot up in the air during their struggle, soaking them more. They were laughing hysterically by this point, Regina leaning her back against his chest, hands resting on his arm that was wrapped around the top of her shoulders and chest gently.
He reached out, turning the water off with his free hand before pulling her around to face him. Her hair was wet and mussed, face glistening with water and clothes sticking to her body as she looked up at him with youthful eyes. David knew he was seeing the girl that Daniel had years ago, a carefree young woman whose bright inner light had yet to be dimmed. He couldn't believe that he was lucky enough to be the one to bring that light back out.
"David?" Regina said his name curiously at his lost-in-thought expression, her brows creasing in confusion when he let go of her and reached into his pocket. Her eyes traveled down to his jeans where he pulled out a small box, her mouth dropping open partly as he bent down on one knee.
"I've been waiting for the perfect time; I thought I'd plan a romantic dinner or take you away somewhere," David began, looking up at her with an almost nervous expression as he poured his heart out to her, "But this...seeing you so carefree and happy, in our home, with our future ahead of us. Being able to make you laugh and play with me like a child...being best friends but wanting each other so much at the same time...and being able to fight like hell and make up like crazy. That's what I love about you, about us...This is the perfect moment Regina. Will you marry me?"
Regina looked down at him on one knee, his Adam's apple bobbing dangerously low as he swallowed and waited for her response with wide eyes. She was particularly evil for making him wait, but she loved the feeling...loved that he was looking at her like his whole life was on the line; like he wouldn't be able to survive without her if she said no. No one had looked at her in that way before, not even Daniel. They were much too young and naive, but she and David? They'd been through hell and back. He knew every part of her, the good and evil sides, her villainous past and her acts of heroism, her strengths and her weaknesses. He knew the type of person she'd been before, knew the lows she'd sunk to, but still looked at her like she was someone he couldn't lose.
"Yes," She choked out, her voice low and raspy as his mouth broke into a wide smile, "Yes, I'll marry you."
David let out a laugh, blinking back his own tears as he slipped the ring on her finger and stood up, pulling her into a tight embrace, "I love you," He murmured against her ear, placing small kisses over her cheek and hair. It wasn't at all what he'd pictured, but it was the perfect moment.
"Regina you're almost nine months pregnant, you really shouldn't be here," Emma chided, watching the brunette arrange flowers in a vase in she and Hook's living room.
"I'm making flower arrangements for your wedding, not running a marathon Swan," Regina wise-cracked, letting out a little laugh as she picked up another rose to trim. It was a hot summer day and Emma's wedding was only a night away, leaving too much for them to do for Regina to sit at home.
"Just don't over do it, I don't need you going into labor during my wedding vows," Emma teased, sitting down across froM her to arrange her own vase at the coffee table, "Thanks for helping, though. I know it's probably the last thing you feel like doing right now."
"Actually it was a good excuse to get out of the house, David has been my shadow lately. He won't even let me pick up a laundry basket," She raised an eyebrow with an amused smile, "It's sweet but I needed him out of my hair for a while."
Emma chuckled, glancing down at Regina's flower arrangement, "You're so good at that-" She began before her eyes grew wide, "Holy shit, is that what I think it is?" She asked, her gaze locked on Regina's ring.
"What?" Regina looked up quickly before following Emma's line of sight, realizing she'd forgotten to take the ring off this morning. "Oh, uhm..." Damn it, why had David insisted on distracting her with kisses and wandering hands?
"Dad proposed? Regina why didn't you tell me?" A shocked smile spread across Emma's face, causing the brunette to let out a breath of relief, "It's gorgeous!"
"Thank you," Regina glanced down at the impressive ruby stone, a warm smile adorning her face at the meaning behind it, "We weren't going to announce it until after your wedding. I didn't want to take away from your big day."
"Are you kidding? This is great news," Emma shook her head before raising an eyebrow mischievously, "Just to be clear I am not calling you my Step-Mom."
"Really, Swan?" Regina rolled her eyes, biting back a grin.
"The ring is beautiful, I've never seen a ruby used as an engagement ring...why'd he pick that?" She watched the brunette curiously, seeing her shift her eyes back to the ring.
"He said it was unique and reminded him of me," Regina admitted, meeting her gaze for a second before glancing down to study it as she recalled his explanation later that night, "That the color red symbolizes love, passion, anger, strength, sensitivity, courage...and that every time I look at the ring it should be a reminder that he loves everything about me..." She added, glancing up hesitantly at Emma, a warm blush to her face from opening up about something so private.
"That's beautiful," Emma smiled sincerely at Regina before rolling her eyes, "And I thought Killian was romantic," She joked, making them both laugh. "So when are you thinking you'll be married?"
"We haven't decided, I definitely want to wait until after the baby is born," Regina smiled, busying herself once again with the flower arrangement, "I refuse to be the size of Little John in my wedding photos," She quipped, making them burst into laughter once again.
"Well, just so you know I'll be here to help with anything you need," The blonde nodded once, "If you want to do a big wedding, I'll repay the favor," She smiled.
Regina raised an eyebrow as she put the last tulip in the flower arrangement, "I'm holding you to that, Miss Swan."