I am so incredibly sorry that it has taken me the amount of time that it has to continue this! No excuse really!
But I thank you for all your response- follow, favorites and reviews, it means the world to me! And please continue sharing thoughts- love to know what you think!

On another note, I honestly don't know too much about pregnancy, as I have never been so myself, so that's probably why I haven't mentioned symptoms that much. If anyone would like to pitch in on the story, in regards to the pregnancy or otherwise- please PM me- I would love for some ideas!

Anyways- thank you for reading- hope enjoy this!

Mwah!

...

Regina was positioned with a perfect view of all that was currently going on in her mansion. Today, Robin and Roland would bring some of their things over. Although they had agreed they didn't need to bring much, there were apparently many boxes.
Sitting comfortably in the chair that both Samuel and Benjamin physically put her in, she regarded everyone who had offered to help. Emma was standing at the entrance, directing everyone where they should put the boxes, Rhea was in the kitchen cooking for later, and all the guys; Robin, David, Samuel and Benjamin were carrying the heavier boxes. Even Grace and Hope were helping in the kitchen.

Once again, Regina was queen of the castle, watching as everybody worked. She was smirking, and more sinister than she intended, which did not go unnoticed: "Regina, your Evil Queen is showing." Grace commented as she walked passed her.

"Oh, it feels quite rewarding dear, care to try?" Regina grinned as she rose.

"Oh, hell yeah!" Grace, not so gracefully exclaimed. The second she sat in the chair, she mimicked Regina, smirking, and crossing her legs.

Emma now had turned her attention towards the sisters,
"You know, it's actually creepy how much you're alike- and all " Evil Queen " style too." Emma gestured with her hands and she almost grimaced.

Grace started laughing, and was soon joined by Regina. Emma couldn't help but laugh too, and soon they didn't even remember what they were laughing at.

Rhea walked passed, and paused, "What are you girls laughing at?"

They all regained their posture, "Nothing." Grace replied with a smile.

Rhea merely arched an eyebrow and continued.

Regina had gone to the kitchen, and was still thinking of the laugh she'd had minutes ago. She was reflecting over the fact that she could now laugh wholeheartedly at being called the Evil Queen. She had never realized during her time as queen that friends and family was so important. She had never understood why peasants had chosen to rather die than to let their family members be taken. Now she did. Of course there were moments where she considered the idea of stepping off the throne and living a normal life. But some aspect of being queen, and gaining the title Evil Queen, was that one was not able to stop once started. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy. Some part of it was addiction, but some other part was the lack of knowledge of what to do without it- it was all she had back then. It feels like a different life, and that's maybe because it was. Deep in her thoughts, Regina hardly noticed Samuel's hand on her shoulder, "Where were you at?" he asked curiously.

Regina smiled softly, "Somewhere far in the past."

Samuel gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, "There is no need to be in the past, you have everything you need here, and a lot to look forward to in the future." He bent down slightly and pressed a soft kiss to one side of her temple.

Even though Regina hadn't meant to think of her past now, she did, but in that moment, it dawned upon her that Samuel was absolutely right. On the other side, her past was a part of her, something that she could never supress, something that had shaped her; she'd learned from her many mistakes. She would always aim to be a better person than she once was. But the future would bring her so much, and in six months, a child, one that she never imagined that she'd have. She felt flutters- not from the baby, but from excitement.

Content that she had reflected over the matter sufficiently, she rose and walked towards the entrance. Once there, she noticed everything was spotless. Everyone was standing with a warm cup of coffee or tea in hand, about to enter the dining room.

In surprise, Regina pointed towards the kitchen, "How long was I in there?"

They all chuckled, "Only about 30 minutes." Hope said, as she turned to towards the dining room.

Still, in mild shock of all being done, she felt Robin's hand on the small of her back, "Come on love, let's go eat." He said gently, and led her to a seat around her dining table.

It was lovely, Rhea had cooked a fantastic meal, with the help of Hope and Grace of course, and they were all sitting around the table. It fitted them all, David, Mary Margaret, Emma, Henry, Roland, Samuel, Benjamin, Rhea, Grace, Hope, Rosie, Robin and herself. That was 13 people, 13, Regina thought to herself. But she wouldn't have it any other way. Rosie was sitting next to her of course, gushing over her sister's pregnancy. Little Rosie had sworn to protect the baby at all costs, and Regina found it adorable.

Dinner was finished, and they all had continued helping by cleaning it all up. This was despite the fact that Regina had insisted in doing it, since she hadn't done a thing today. But they all ignored her requests and carried on. Rosie had come over, staring sternly at Regina, crossing her arms: "No Reggie, my job is to protect the baby, and as the official protector, I say you can't do anything."

Regina had struggled not to laugh, but managed to seriously accept her youngest sister's warning.

By the time they were all finished and ready to leave, it was already 9.30. Regina stopped Emma briefly before she left, "Thanks Emma, you really didn't have to, neither did your parents." Regina said and glanced over at Mary Margaret and David.

"It's no problem, really. And anyways, we had fun too!" Emma replied with a smile.

"Yes, Regina, it really was our pleasure." Mary Margaret agreed.

They all said their goodbyes, and suddenly it was relatively quiet in the mansion.

"I'm knackered." Robin said.

Regina looked over about to laugh, "What does that even mean?"

Robin chuckled, "You know what it means, I'm really tired!" he replied.

"Yes dear, I know what it means, I'm just teasing you."

A bit later in the evening, Robin had put the boys to bed, well at least Roland, Henry was old enough now. Regina was already in bed as Robin entered. He gently lifted the sheets and scooted close to Regina. Immediately, he held around her. For a few moments, they just lay there, looking at one another.

"We have to do that again some time in the near future for the nursery." Robin whispered as he put a gentle hand on Regina's stomach.

Regina smiled in the dark, "You're right dear." She said and pressed a kiss on his lips. Robin deepened the kiss, and it soon escalated to Regina running her hands under his shirt. "You know…" Regina started teasingly, "Even though you won't let me carry things, I can do other stuff." She smirked as she straddled him.

...

Thanks for reading!