Chapter 4: The decision

The warm summer sun filtered through the leaves of the apple tree and fell upon Regina's swollen belly as she pruned the lower branches. Of course, no one but she could see the evidence of the child growing inside her; not even her father, the only person who knew. The concealment spell she had cast upon herself eight months ago had worked perfectly.

She gently clipped the twigs from the branches, expertly crafting the tree into one that would yield another crop of flawless apples, just as it had every autumn. Regina had the tree brought from her mother's home when they came to live at the palace. She loved the tree and cared for it personally, it was the one thing in her new home that was truly hers.

Finished with the lower branches she reached up higher, stretching to reach the ones above her head. A sharp pain in her abdomen caused her to lower her arm and clutch her side.

The pain subsided and she was able to catch her breath. She gently stroked her stomach and spoke softly to the child inside, "I'm sorry, I stretched too far didn't I?" A smile spread across her beautiful face as she continued to soothe her unborn child.

Her repose was interrupted as she heard a voice behind her ask, "Are you alright?"

Regina quickly withdrew her hands from her abdomen and picked up the pruning shears. She turned to see who had spoken, it was her father. Although still slightly embarrassed to have been caught by surprise, she relaxed somewhat when she saw it was him.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just stretched a little too far, that's all." She returned to pruning her tree.

Regina's father walked toward her slowly. He knew the time was coming when the baby would be born, and he thought this might be his last chance to talk some sense into his daughter.

"It's alright, you know" he said gently.

Regina did not want to have this conversation again. She pretended not to understand what he meant.
"What is?"

Her father came and stood next to her and put his hand on her back. "For you to love this baby."

Regina moved away and shook her head, "I don't know what you mean."

He followed her, "It's obvious you feel something Regina. Why not give yourself a chance?"

She was through playing dumb, "Daddy, we've been through this. I'm not keeping the baby." She started cleaning up her gardening things.

"My dear," her father persisted, "I feel as though you are making a serious mistake. One that you'll come to regret later."

"Daddy-"

"And when you regret it, it will be too late. This can never be undone."

She turned to face him, "Daddy, please-"

Her put his hands on her shoulders to make her hear him, "Regina, you would be a wonderful mother!"

She snapped, "No, I wouldn't!" Her father was taken back by her forceful tone. She continued, "Maybe I could have been once, but not anymore."

He let go of her shoulders and she walked toward a nearby bench. She stopped and clenched her fists, trying to control the tears that were dangerously close to flowing. She turned around and he saw the pain in her face. "I would be just like her. And I will not do to my child what she did to me! This baby is better off without me."

Regina slowly lowered herself onto the bench, supporting the weight of her belly with her left hand.

As Henry watched his daughter, his heart ached for her. She had been through so much, he could hardly blame her for feeling the way she did. All he wanted was her happiness, and he wanted to spare her the pain this choice would eventually bring her.

He sat down on the bench beside Regina and took her hand in his. "How can you say that, dear? You have brought so much happiness to my life, and you have so much to give. I know you have always loved children, and they have loved you. Just look at Snow, and the way she adores you."

The mention of Snow's name instantly made Regina angry. She pulled her hand away from her father's, "That foolish girl ruined my happiness." Her words sounded cold and harsh.

Henry regretted mentioning Snow. He decided to try another approach, "Regina, you are not your mother. Cora was cold and controlling and manipulative. But you, you are kind and loving and good."

Regina closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she spoke. Her father was unaware of the terrible things she had done, of the darkness that was growing inside her heart. "You don't understand. I've changed. I'm no longer the person I once was." She stood and moved closer to her tree. "After everything I've been through, how could I have stayed the same? The heartbreak of losing Daniel, and being forced to marry the King was unbearable."

Regina turned and looked at her father, "Until magic came to me. Magic is the only thing that stops the pain. When I use magic I feel powerful, and strong instead of weak. For the first time in my life, I can have what I want."

"Magic and power don't bring lasting happiness, Regina. They alienate you from everyone around you. They won't heal your wounds. Only love can do that."

Regina's face became hard, and her voice was filled with bitterness, "Love is weakness."

Henry's heart sank as his daughter repeated the harsh words his wife had often said.

Regina turned swiftly and left the courtyard. As she started up the steps to the palace another searing pain tore through her abdomen. This one was much stronger than the first, it caused Regina to double over and cry out in pain. Her father ran to her side and tried to support her so she could remain standing.
The pain finally stopped and Regina was breathing heavily.

"It's time," her father confirmed. "Let's get you to the carriage."