AN: I'm getting too lazy to proof read or keep updates regular...or come up with better excuses besides my lack of a muse. No more new OUAT means I hit road blocks easier dammit. Enjoy anyways.

Again, the sex didn't happen the following night or the next one mind you, but for some reason it didn't seem to bother me as much now that everything was out in the open. Having a dick still kind of sucked but it was something I was willing to deal with because I know how much it would take for Regina to be able to relax enough to do something like that. Her subconscious was already there but her conscious mind would have to be relaxed enough to get there and that was perfectly ok with me.

Week 20

"Hey you guys! It's about time we see you out and about!" Ruby was enthusiastic as always to see us at the diner for lunch as she hopped on over to our table to take our order. We've been trying to be more public about it without announcing it, I guess in the Enchanted Forest it was a big deal for the Queen or any royal to be pregnant, here in Storybrooke though we just treated it as any other woman being pregnant.

"Yes, I am feeling quite better these days and nothing is really a secret anymore." She smiled, as she sipped on the water Ruby gave her.

"I can see that," Ruby motioned towards Regina's slightly protruding stomach, which made her a little self-conscious and I couldn't help but roll my eyes as Ruby stammered to correct what she meant, "I just mean I can finally see you showing a bit is all, you look beautiful." Regina blushed at the comment and I'll admit it's so weird to see my wife blush at anything, one of my current favorite things actually.

"We've got a check-up today, hopefully find out the sex." I state out, clearly excited.

"Oh, I thought you already knew?" The tall brunette looked at us questioningly as we shake our heads, "oh well I have my strong assumptions." She smiles and points to her nose again.

"How the hell?" I laugh as we order and send her on her way so Granny doesn't yell at her.

"Oh, hey moms!" Henry bustles into the diner, "so what's the baby?" He's wide-eyed and excited about the sex of the baby, I think he wants a baby sister but I think he'd be happy just having a younger sibling no matter the sex.

"Calm down kid, we won't know anything until this afternoon. You been placing bets at school or what because I'm still the sheriff and that's illegal." We laugh as he sits next to Regina in the booth.

"No nothing like that, I'm just really excited. Once we know the sex we can start buying stuff and painting and—"

"Slow down Hen, your mom looks like she's going to have a heart-attack with all your excitement," I could see the panic rise in Regina's face, "plus everyone is going to be involved, this is going to be the most prepared family ever for a baby. Not to mention all the shower gifts I'm sure we'll receive."

"Please don't tell me we have to have a baby shower…they are so humiliating." She practically scoffs at the idea, not wanting anyone touching her belly, let alone having a celebration surrounding her. For being a Queen, she definitely only liked things on her own terms.

"We can make it tasteful Regina I promise," I reassure her again.

"I just—I'm just not sure I like to be the center of attention," she explained to us collectedly.

"We can do a barbeque or something for it?" Henry suggested as we mulled over some ideas.

"Hm, it'll be late fall, a little chilly for an outside event," I pondered some more as Ruby brought our food over and we started munching on our food, I can't help but laugh as Regina still continues to pop her fries into her milkshake.

"What about a Halloween party?" Henry looked at his brunette mom questioningly, his brows raised, knowing that it might actually be a cool idea.

"Seriously?" Regina scoffed, "Henry—"

"Regina that sounds like a fun idea, that way it can be unisex, we can dress up, have food and snacks and people can bring a present for the baby without any baby shower games, because I know that's what you don't like." I raise my brows at her and she rolls her eyes and smiles, knowing I called her out on this one.

"Okay Swan, a Halloween themed-baby shower, I get to pick the costumes." She raises her famous brow at me and I melt under her gaze, damn she's so sexy. She pops ice cream covered fry in her mouth and I can't help but smile and laugh.

"Deal."

Well it wasn't such a bad suggestion, I'm was so grateful Henry popped in that day. It was now to let down my mother and her baby shower ideas, because I know she's got a scrap book handy for just such an occasion. I'm sure she's been working on ideas since we announced we were pregnant, at least she didn't assume this was going to happen so it's not like she started a book when Regina and I were dating…at least I hope she didn't.

Our appointment was late in the afternoon but at the house, after lunch we mulled around town, just walking and talking about nonsense stuff; how Henry was doing, how we were doing, random town gossip, you know couple things.

"I think I'm feelings kicks lately," she mused slightly as we strolled hand in hand down to the pier.

"Oh yeah? Butterflies or karate jabs?" I joke with her.

"Definitely karate jabs," she laughed with me at the joke, "your child for sure, I've seen you take down an enemy or two before, you have got good instincts Emma." Her tone was soft and lovey, this Regina was by far becoming my favorite version, but I did miss the playful banter we used to have. We strolled along until we hit sand and water, just enjoying the fresh air and each other.

"Emma!" I turn to catch my mom, speeding along the pier where we just were.

"Hey mom, what's up?" I furrow my brows worrying something has come up at home or with Henry, or the town.

"Am I interrupting anything?" She questions simply, hoping to not intrude on a private moment as she knows how Regina is with her privacy.

"No, we were just killing time before the big appointment this afternoon," I muse, my own patience wearing thin as everyone keeps asking us about it.

"Oh, darn it, I thought you had already had it that's why I wanted to catch up to you." She smiles softly at us, hoping she's not bothering us.

"Trust me, the only people who will know initially are myself, Emma, and Henry." Regina's mood shifted and I wasn't sure if was our baby bond that helped me sense it or if her mood radiated off her that strongly for me to sense it.

"Oh, come on Regina you are taking the fun out of this, don't you want everyone to know whether they'll get another prince or a new princess?" Mom raised her brows softly at my wife and I knew she was over it.

"No Snow, that is exactly why it's a secret until the baby shower, which is now a Halloween party, if you'll excuse us we really need to get home." And that's when my wife took off without me, leaving me as dumbfounded as my mother.

"You aren't serious?" My mom was shocked but what was I supposed to tell her, I couldn't go against Regina's wishes, and what the hell was with the attitude. My guess is she's sick of people asking about the sex of the baby, but it could be anything at this point.

"Very. It was Henry's idea, I gotta go mom! I love you and I'll call you soon!" I yell back at my mom as I jog to catch up with my wife who seems to be speed walking back to the house. "'Gina slow up, how can you even manage that pace in those shoes…" I catch up and grab her hand spinning her to me on the sidewalk and that's when I notice tears down her cheeks, "…babe what's wrong?"

"Nothing, let's get home please."

It only took me a half a second to magic us into the foyer instead of walking the 3 blocks back to the house, she kicked off her shoes and walked upstairs without a word. I don't know what was said or what triggered her but she was obviously bothered by something, to be honest I worry about her mental health with this pregnancy, she's been much more distant and I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy taking a toll on her or the way everyone is reacting to her pregnancy that's beginning to get to her. I guess I'll find out soon, Letty should be here in an hour, which means we've got some talking to do until then.

I take a few deep breaths before I follow her, I don't want to intrude on her space as I know sometimes, space is exactly what she needs. This pregnancy has been rough on both of us, not only have we been dealing with magic that is happening randomly but her mood shifts, both pleasant and unpleasant have been exhausting on us both. I guess I didn't know what to expect when I think about the pregnancy of an ex-Evil Queen, I mean that should have been my first warning. Though, it was her that brought up the idea in the first place and I just went along with what was right in my gut. We are a strong couple and we've battled a lot of things together, this shouldn't really be that hard. For some reason though there were more bad days then good and more negative moods than positive ones, I wish it wasn't this way with her, should I bring these things up with Letty? Should I let Regina try to bring things up with her, maybe it's just how she processes this type of situation.

I try to not overthink, I know it can be my own worst enemy most days, I've just gotta go with what feels right, I can't know what's she's thinking or feeling, I really just have to talk to her about it. I finally talk myself into going upstairs, I know we are on a time limit with our appointment but that doesn't mean we can't solve problems quickly, I just have to open up to her to have her open up to me, right? Sure, that sounds good.

"Babe?" I call out softly as I notice the bedroom door is still slightly ajar, I know she went there, that's her solace, her place that's just for her…well and for me as well but mostly her space. "'Gina?" I push the door gently and immediately notice her body lying on the bed. I sigh gently as I move to her assuming my position as the big spoon and draping my body around hers. I'm grateful she isn't crying but I can tell she's in deep thought over something, or at the very least just in an emotional state.

I feel her heavy sigh as she appreciates my body against hers, she doesn't have the sniffles like she's been crying, which I'm entirely grateful for. I think she just got pushed a little too far with everyone's impatience and probably is being too hard on herself.

"I'm sorry, I guess I just don't like this version of myself. I'm weak and I don't like being frail, I don't like everyone checking up on me, I just—"

"I get it babe," I sigh against her shoulder, not sure if I want to say the next part, "do—do you still sometimes wish the Queen was with you for this?"

She freezes and I know I've gone too far, I'm going to push her further away and—

"No—and yes—" she's raw and vulnerable with me in this moment and I appreciate it, I think we've got that understanding now. "I mean when I shared my love—when I made our hearts equal it essentially gave me some of her back but—"

"It's not the same is it?" I muse out softly.

"I'm just not that person anymore, but I wish I could put my walls up, I just feel like every time I put them up someone shoots them down with the simplest of comments." She shakes her head at the thoughts.

"Regina just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you have to become soft, being pregnant is one of the most difficult things a woman can go through, not only physically but mentally as well. I don't want you to change who you are just because you are baring a child." I scoff at the idea of her being anything other than herself.

"I know, I just—"

"Just be you Regina, I'm not afraid of who you used to be or who you are." I make my statement loud and clear, I know I'm one of the few who can reign her in if she gets to be too much, but she's got to start putting her foot down with this town again, we need our ball busting madam mayor back.

"What if I hurt you Emma," she's scared and I can't blame her but I know she's never going to do anything to harm Henry or myself…mentally or physically.

"You've never dished out anything I couldn't take…however don't think this means you are off the hook where your dream is concerned, I'd still like to get rid of this thing…" I dry hump her backside gently and we laugh a bit before she turns to face me.

"Thank you, Emma, I'll be truer to myself and that definitely means no baby shower." She smirks and I laugh at her enthusiasm for doing things her way and no one is going to be able to change that.

"Can we still have a Halloween party though, that people can bring things for the baby?" I plead with her, it's been years since I've gotten to enjoy an awesome Halloween party and I know for a fact Regina's got to have a few tricks up her sleeve she can teach me for Halloween.

"Only if I get to pick costumes still." She reasons and smiles again.

"Of course. I wouldn't dare argue with that." I see mischievous eyes gleam in excitement, maybe I should be more scared than I anticipated.

We hear a knock on the door and we know it's Letty, just in time for our appointment, I feel Regina shift in nervousness and I can't help but feel that with her as well. I mean we are going to find out for sure what we are having and that's a huge thing in any pregnancy, don't blame me for being a tad excited here.

I leave Regina to make herself comfortable and wander down the stairs, I hear the knock again just as I reach the door and open it swiftly, meeting Letty's petite frame at the door.

"Hey, come on in." I wave my hand in a welcoming manor and allow the young woman entrance into our home.

"Hi Emma, how is everything?" She starts asking questions right away trying to get a sense of how things are going in the home.

"Um, emotional…she's been very emotional. We literally just had a meltdown and I had to poof us home but I think we are good now."

"What kind of meltdown?" She questions as we start to walk a bit.

"She's sick of everyone treating her like she's broken, frail, or asking too many questions I guess. She's having a hard time keeping her walls up, she was the Evil Queen once you know? It's hard for her to be a softy, she wants that power back…or maybe at least people to fear her a bit." I shrug as we start our ascent upstairs.

"Hm, well maybe a pep talk will do her good. Did you guys still want to know the sex?" She changes the subject we reach the top.

"For sure," I smile excitedly as we reach the bedroom door, "Regina, Letty is here, are you ready?" I mosey in because I knew she was getting herself set up anyways.

"Yes," I see her sitting on the bed, her legs crisscrossed, now changed into a dressing gown, guess it'll make it easier for home appointments.

"Good afternoon Regina," Letty pops up from behind me and I let her go to town on my wife as I join her on the bed to listen and observe. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm ok, just in my head a lot," she shrugs it off as nothing.

"Emma tells me you just had a bit of a meltdown; do you want to tell me more about that?" She starts by checking Regina's vitals as she eases into the conversation. I see Regina glance over at me, uncomfortable and obviously somewhat offended that I had discussed a few things with Letty before she came to Regina.

"I just—"she sighs heavily trying to find the right words, "I'm tired of people treating me differently, I'm pregnant, I'm not broken or dying."

Letty laughed gently as Regina spoke very clearly and with authority, "I'm just so sick of everyone's nose being in my private business, yes we are having a baby, no I'm not going to share how and no you can't touch."

"Calm down there momma bear, who said you are broken?" Letty checks Regina's pulse, which I'm sure is now racing, alongside her blood pressure. "Regina just because you are pregnant doesn't mean you have to hold your tongue or not be you." She reassures my wife which earns her a big sigh in agreement, because this is literally what I just told her. "It's true you don't want to be too stressed or overwhelmed with pregnancy but you really have a good hold on your work, life balance, it seems." Regina and I both nodded in agreement, our life really is pretty chill these days, there was a reason she wanted to have a baby at this time…no imminent danger was foreseen. "All I'm saying is that you can be the Evil Queen a little bit if you want too; tell people 'no' or tell people off if you don't want them in your private life, just because you were a Queen in the Enchanted forest doesn't mean you have to parade around the fact that you are expecting a baby because those traditions required you too. This is your pregnancy, not theirs, do it how Regina would do it…or even the Evil Queen would do it." Regina laughed thinking about herself as the Evil Queen and pregnant.

"That would have been a nightmare for many I'm sure…" my wife retorted.

"Hm, I don't think so babe." I smile from her side as Letty moves to measure Regina's expanded middle.

"Excuse me?" Her brows shoot up at me, as if I don't know what I'm talking about.

"If the Evil Queen got pregnant, wouldn't she have had to have someone help her get pregnant…because something tells me you would have been better than to let some random dick knock you up. In which case she would have been happy mostly…in love…" I gulp thinking about her with anyone other than me, even though I respected her old relationship with Robin and Daniel, even the situation with Graham. "Wouldn't you have put revenge aside and made a dynasty? After all, look at the mother you became for Henry here? What about Hansel and Gretel, you offered them a home at the Dark Palace once didn't you? The Evil Queen definitely has a soft spot where children are concerned." I finish my spiel as I stare of into space thinking about random things.

Both her and Letty stared at me in disbelief that I thought that one all the way through. It was true Regina was a bit softer in her personality but maybe just at home with me, we have this amazing relationship and I encourage her to be her true self.

"Best not change the past now, or we wouldn't be in this position, now would we?" Regina gives me a genuine smile, and I couldn't even tell you what she was thinking but she was happy in that moment, full of peace and adoration for our little family.

"Alright Regina I need you to lay back and show me that beautiful growing belly." Regina couldn't help but scoff at the comment, I knew her reaction—

"It's anything but beautiful let me tell you—" Regina started.

"Ah, there is that envious Evil Queen that the Disney movies portrayed." Letty let out her own snarky remark, I can tell they are getting more comfortable with one another as Regina chuckled slightly lifting her nightgown to show her expanding belly. "See it's not so bad, plus if it makes you feel any better I've seen women who are much larger at this stage of their pregnancy, looks like you are keeping yourself in check quite well." Letty smiled at Regina as she got her tape measure out and measured from pelvis to sternum, measuring the size of our little bundle. "Looks like you are right on target for growth actually. Let's have a feel for placement huh? I'm going to squeeze around a bit to get the baby riled up."

I watch Letty maneuver her hands over Regina's swollen stomach, her tiny hands working like magic as she guesses the position of the baby and size. I look to Regina's face, who looks slightly uncomfortable as Letty works her belly gently, we catch eyes and smile as I can tell in her reactions the baby is surely starting to move on its own.

"It's alive…" I joke as we all have a small laugh.

"Thank you, Dr. Frankenstein," I hear my wife sass as Letty grabs the portable ultrasound machine.

"Ugh, Regina don't insult me like that." I scoff at my wife thinking about Whale, secretly grateful we don't have him for these kinds of appointments.

"Alright Regina are you sure you want to know the sex? This is the time to speak up if you want to wait or if you want to know now." I watch Letty as she sets again at the edge of the bed, I eye my wife's uncertainty about wanting to know the gender, she bites her lip not sure if she wants to know or not.

"Babe?" I speak up, I'm scared that she's scared that she doesn't want to know.

"I—I want Emma to know but that's all…I don't even want to know. I mean I have my own suspicions but—"

"Regina if you don't want to know then I don't want to know, I don't like holding that kind of information," I panic, I was sure we were going to know but after her meltdown I could understand why she wouldn't want to know.

"Then, Letty will know but that's it. I mean if we see something in the ultrasound—a penis or not—then we will just keep it to ourselves but I don't want to know officially."

"Alright, the Queen has spoken, we will not officially know the sex until the baby is born." I stammer out a bit, making sure that's what Regina wanted, and with a nod from Letty we were on our way to viewing the baby at least.

"Is your bladder relatively full Regina?"

"Yes." She wiggled slightly uncomfortable at the question.

"It's easier to see the baby if the bladder is fuller, it pushes the uterus up to allow us a better picture."

"Ah ok," she understands why Letty wanted to know.

"Alright, I'm going to put some gel on the device and we'll get to see your growing baby." She smiled as she did just as she stated, "it's going to be cold." I watch her as she nods again.

I can't help but be a little giddy as I watch Regina adjust to the cold gel that is being rubbed over her lower abdomen, I know this pregnancy was her idea but I am getting more and more excited as time goes on. Maybe it's the fact that I see her growing, knowing there is a little us on the inside of her and that it's going to come out and be a little mix of us both, I'm so excited to see what he or she looks like.

"Ok let's see here, we've got a hand here…" she points to the small screen as we see a small palm, she moves the wand around a bit, "oh here's the heart again, hold on let me get a beat measure." She pauses and takes note of the heartbeat.

"Is it ok?" I hear the fear in Regina's voice as she asks Letty how the heartbeat is.

"Oh yeah just taking some notes for you and for me, you aren't my only patient you know?" She smiles reassuringly and resumes the ultrasound. "Alright so we've got another arm here and—"

"Oh God please don't do that, it makes us so nervous!" I can't help but scold her for the hesitations in finding all limbs.

"Calm down sheriff, your baby has both arms and both legs, a healthy heart and a little noggin," she laughs as she finishes up and takes some quick pictures for us, careful to avoid the parts or lack of parts we don't want privy too.

"So, did you see the sex?" Regina asks timidly, she hates not knowing but seeing as everyone keeps asking her about it, I can understand why she doesn't want to know, it's so no one can badger her about it and there is nothing they can do to change her mind about knowing or not knowing. It was the first step for her putting up some of her walls.

"I did and everything looks as it should for where you are at in development." Letty smiles again and pats Regina's leg gently, before grabbing a towel and wiping the remaining gel from her belly. "Do you need to run to the bathroom?" I watch as Regina nods swiftly and bounces from the bed with a new pep to her step.

"I guess a pep talk is exactly what she needed," I comment to Letty as I help her gather her items and put them away.

"Expectant mothers tend to be flakey, Regina is a highly emotional person in general and with a magical baby she might feel more than usual." Letty explains.

"So—so the baby has magic?" I am not sure how to take the news, I mean I shouldn't be too surprised right? We did create the baby with magic, why would I think the baby wouldn't have some sort of magic. I only hope that doesn't throw in any complications in the long run, as the baby develops so would its magic…

"It might be too early to tell but I wouldn't be surprised."

I'm sure she could see the panic on my face as she told me this, my mind starting reeling as I started processing the potential magic our child may hold.

"Calm down Sheriff, it's nothing the savior and the Queen shouldn't be able to handle." She smiles and laughs gently as Regina emerges from the en-suite, dressed in more comfortable clothes. "Better?" Letty asks jokingly.

"Very much so."

"Well I was just telling Emma not to be surprised with new scents of magic, it will smell familiar and not be harmful but your child is probably going to bare some form of magic, if it gets too much try to keep yourself calm, as you know magic is emotion which means if you feel, the baby will feel as well and that's when magic reacts." Regina nods in understanding, taking in the new information.

"Regina you seem awfully calm about our baby having magic." I stammer out, confused that she's so calm with the news.

"Emma you and I created a baby together via magic, you still have a magic penis that—"

"Regina!"

"Oh, stop, it's probably not the strangest thing she's ever seen or heard of," she glances at Letty who nods in confirmation, I on the other hand am red and flustered. "All I am saying is I am not at all surprised that our baby will have some sort of magic from two extremely magical parents."

"Makes sense I guess." I shrug and nod in agreement.

"As I was saying Regina, just take it easy and don't be afraid to stand your ground with people as you need too. You are carrying a wonderfully healthy child that will be loved by its parents, big brother, and the rest of your extremely complicated family tree." We all share a laugh as she bids us farewell on our trek down the stairs.

I wrap my arms around her from behind and rub her little swollen belly, she sighs into me as we enjoy the moments before Henry will be home from school.

"You know everyone is going to badger you," I whisper in her ear and she turns in my arms.

"I know and it actually doesn't bother me, I'm glad I don't know. No one can be disappointed and they will learn to let it go." Her smile is a mischievous one.

"You're mean." I state out simply, I know she's bringing her A game now and no one can stop her.

"No, I am the Queen and what I say goes, isn't that right darling?"

"Oh ok, Your Majesty." I chuckle out not sure what the next few weeks will bring in this case and we've got a party to plan…with my Queen of Sass back in action.

You can hate me all you want about the sex and YES I know what it's going to be but I'm gonna make ya'll sweat it out, it's fine! :-P