Hey, here is chapter eight!

I'm a very big fan of Private Practice, so I'm borrowing some phrases from the show. If you're a big fan too, you will be able to find them here.

To JolieKaery; Haha I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for reading. 2 girls? I'll think in your case haha! Hope you enjoy the chapter.

To Ailec-12; Thank you. I think I surprised you, I surprised everyone haha.

To Hannah Holloway; Archie is just going to be crazy because of this pregnancy. I don't know if he can survive until the babies come... haha I'm happy you liked and thank you for always review me, I love every single review that you leave me!

To Marina Masterson; THANK YOU. I have a question. it hurts? leave me that reviews hurt you? No! Let me know if you like this chapter ok?

To Addicted1; I'm glad you loved it! I love Archie! hahaha

To Ana Paula; thank you for reading it... love u! You know that, do you?

To singingtree54; Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter... leave me know what you think!

To Annie; Thank you!

Enjoy it!

CHAPTER 8 – COLD NIGHT

Three weeks later, things were getting better. Regina hadn't told Henry about her pregnancy although it was almost impossible to hide her belly now. Even hidden under thick clothes everyone was already commenting.

She had a voracious appetite. She didn't feel as tired as before but she did feel a lot of discomfort due to the pregnancy. Archie was helping her. He even gave her a recipe of ginger tea that really helped with the nausea and she was extremely grateful to him.

Archie spent the last few weeks insisting that she should tell Henry about the babies. He knew that Henry was a smart kid and if he didn't already know, he would find out sooner or later. Regina was approaching the third month and everything was running just fine. They wanted to share it with Henry but Regina was afraid that he would be angry. She was grateful because the Charming's were keeping their word about saying nothing to Henry, but still, it wasn't easy for Archie to convince Regina that they should tell Henry about the babies as soon as possible.

She became the mayor again. As much as Regina had been a bitch, she was always an excellent administrator and even with the curse, she always took care of the city. For some time Snow tried to adapt herself and do the same things that Regina did but the work was boring and annoying. Then, it was decided that they could give her a new chance and if she wanted, she could be the mayor again. She accepted as quickly as possible because she couldn't stand staying at home with nothing to do.

Regina was stressed with Archie, he was concerned with the babies all the time and would spend the entire day calling or texting her. Regina tried for too long to not be upset by this, but Archie was treating her like a child. She couldn't stand it anymore.

"Hey!" Archie said entering Regina's office. It was lunchtime, Regina hadn't hired a new secretary yet, so she spent all day alone.

"Hey." She replied smiling.

"I know you said you didn't want to have lunch with me but you need to eat." He said while putting a food package on the table.

"Thank you." Regina stared at Archie quickly and returned her attention to the documents she was working on.

Trying to get her attention again, Archie said, "Did you know that our babies are the size of a plum now?"

Regina only looked at him for a moment and then returned to what she was doing.

Archie was starting to get nervous. It had been a few days since Regina had quarreled with him because she thought he was acting like a maniac, stalker and overprotective but he couldn't stop worrying.

"Ask me how I know that?" Archie said anxiously and a little nervous at the same time.

"What?" Regina asked confused.

"That our babies are the size of plums."

"Archie, I-" Regina was getting angry but she knew that he was just concerned. Then she took a deep breath and tried to be friendlier. "How did you know that?"

"There's an app for that. I downloaded this morning. It gives all kinds of information about the babies, what to expect. In two weeks, they'll be the size of avocados." Archie said excitedly.

"Oh, cool!" Regina tried to be nice, but she was sick of it, and said. "I'm busy, Archie."

"I know, you spend the whole day at City Hall and shouldn't," He said, then whispered with a loving smile. "The plums need you to rest."

"Okay, Archie, now go... I need to finish this."

Archie was having lunch at Granny's. He met Henry and Emma who were also having lunch there. Henry was so happy to be able to have Archie always around because he was like a father to him. After a long conversation, Henry went to school and Emma was left alone with Archie.

Archie reached down in his chair as if he were tired. Emma laughed a little because she knew that Regina was the reason for this discouragement.

"So, how are you? The guy with the mighty Olympic spermatozoon." Emma joked smiling at him. Some days ago, Archie ended up telling Emma about the twins. He was very happy and if not for Regina, the whole town would already know.

"I'd be better if I saw more of the mother of my children. She is hiding in work and paperwork." Archie said upset.

"Sometimes, work is the best way to fill your head."

"When something bad happens!" Archie said. "But this? This is a good thing... I mean-"

"Archie, one year ago her son was calling another woman 'mom' and now she lives in a place where everyone remembers her as the Evil Queen. She has a maniacal mother who is in town and tried to kill her and now she is going to have another two children. A normal woman would be scared, now think about what Regina is feeling." Emma said wincing just by thinking about Regina's situation.

"I know!" Archie said looking at the floor.

"She'll get over it." Emma was quick to respond, "There is a reason they give us nine months." Emma said with a 'you know' look.

These last few days were very difficult for Regina. She was tired, physically and especially emotionally. She missed her mother even though she was a terrible woman. She missed Henry and somehow she wished that Archie would be even more present during her pregnancy, even if she didn't admit it out loud. Sometimes, she would get out in the dawn for a walk around the city to breathe a little because there would be nobody to look at her or criticize her. It was comforting.

It was a very cold night, Emma was walking and thinking about the things that were happening lately. Regina was teaching her how to use magic. It was difficult to make her magic work but surprisingly Regina was being very patient with her. Maybe it was the pregnancy or maybe she was really changing. Something inside her said it was the second option.

Emma walked over the town bridge and saw someone leaning against the bars of the bridge, looking away. She walked over and realized it was Regina. She hadn't noticed Emma's presence yet. Emma watched her for a few minutes. It was very cold. What is she doing here alone at this hour? She could see that once in a while Regina would pass her hands on her own face as if she was wiping her tears.

"Emma." Regina said when she realized that Emma was approaching. "What are you doing here?" She asked moving uncomfortably in her place.

"I'm just... I was just walking a bit to cool off." Emma replied trying to hide her sadness, but failed.

"Yes, it's good to chill once in a while." Regina smiled sincerely leaving a relieved breath out.

"You seem exhausted, Regina. Archie told me that you're working hard and you should rest, it's best for the babies." Emma said, regretting it as soon as she finished talking. Regina hadn't told anyone about the babies and Archie had talked only to her, asking her to keep it a secret.

Regina gave a startled look at her but then she said, "I bet he didn't tell you only that, did he?" Regina asked turning her gaze back to the river.

After a while Emma said. "I don't know what I'm doing, some time ago I was just a normal person, now I have a son, I live in a town where fairy tales are real and I'm part of them and now I'm learning how to use magic. I know that it's good magic but this magic is going to kill a person." She had tears in her eyes, seeming confused. Regina stood there, looking at Emma who had just vented to her. Then Emma asked. "If you kill someone, how do you fix it?"

Regina knew very well about who Emma was talking about, Cora. As much as she still loved her, she knew she couldn't risk her children's life.

"Making amends is essential." Regina said thoughtfully, her voice was lower and serious. "But sometimes, if the other person is gone or they refuse to forgive us, we practice the amends while we are still living." Regina said starting crying. Damn hormones, she thought.

"And how do you do that?" Emma asked seriously.

"Well, have the best life you can, do the right thing, help when you can, be available, try to save lives." Regina sighed. "You can't change what you have done, but you can change who you are or at least you can try." Regina chuckled insecurely. "It's hard to explain how living this way works," She stops, thinks, breathes and continues, "but it works. Somehow this... sets you free."

Emma was surprised by the sudden urge to hug Regina. Their relationship had improved greatly. Regina was still looking away when Emma came over and hugged her. Regina was surprised. Nobody wants to hug the Evil Queen and now, the "Savior" was hugging her.

"Thank you." Emma whispered tearfully still hugging Regina who was speechless.

After some time this way, Emma pulled Regina away a little and asked quietly. "Why haven't you told Henry about the babies?"

Regina looked at her and dropped a tear. She wanted so badly someone to trust. She knew she could count on Archie but she really wanted a friend and now Emma was there acting this role, maybe she could trust her a bit, at least for today.

"I'm afraid of- uh... him thinking that I cast a spell on Archie or something like that."

"Seriously?" Emma asked giving a wry look to Regina. "He'll be so happy and I'm so sure about it that I don't know why but he'll be bragging to everyone that he will be a big brother of twins." Emma said laughing.

Regina laughed, Emma had a very different way of making people laugh. "Do you think?" Regina asked looking at Emma's eyes, searching for a liar but all she got was a wink.

"For God's sake, Regina. Sometimes you're the dumbest person that I know, I mean... Henry will love it and you're thinking he'll criticize you. He loves you, Regina." Emma said.

"Thank you, Emma." Regina said smiling a little.

"Now, let's go. I think that we have had plenty of fresh air for today." Emma said smiling at her. "I'll take you home."

They walked in silence to Regina's house and then Emma went home.

Two more days had passed and Regina was still trying to avoid Archie. He was stalking her. She always had to be at home too early because if she wasn't, she would have to hear everything that Archie knew about mothers' and babies' health.

He was on his way to buy something at Granny's for Regina to eat when he found Henry walking alone on the street.

"Hey, Henry!"

"Hey, Archie!" The boy said with a smile on his face as he ran to hug him.

"Shouldn't you be at home or with Regina now?"

"Yes, but I think that mom forgot me today," The boy said with a grin. "She said she would pick me up at school and she didn't show up, I waited over an hour for her and nothing. She didn't even answer the phone."

"Have you called home or City Hall?" Archie said, starting to get worried.

"Yep, but she just hasn't answered. She must have forgotten."

"Henry, I'll take you down to the station okay? I'll leave you with Emma and look for Regina."

Henry nodded. Archie took him to the police station and ran to Regina's house. He didn't find her there, he called and texted her, but she didn't answer. He went to the City Hall and the lights were all off. He was starting to get worried.

First, sorry for my english, I know that it has errors but, please, forgive me!

Well, what you think? Did you liked?

In the next you'll see a sweet moment between Regina and Archie, oh, and Henry is going to find out about his siblings.

Hey, I already know their genders haha suggestions?

Please, leave me reviews...

Bárbara