Regina Mills
"Miss Mills?" I heard her innocent, familiar voice as I was packing up my paperwork. I chuckled softly to myself and shook my head from her playful antics. School starts next week and there were a few things I needed in order before my fall semester starts. "I was wondering if you had any time to tutor me?" I didn't bother looking up, just to tease her a little, like I know she is doing with me. I smiled and proceeded with my actions.
"Tutor you with what, dear?"
"How to properly eat out your best friend?" My head snapped up to discover Emma with that stupid shit eating grin plastered across her face.
"Miss Swan!" I snapped knowing all too well what that name does to her. Just like clockwork, she physically shuddered before me.
"Did I do something wrong? Have I been bad? Are you going to spank me with a ruler?" She attempted her most cute and innocent voice but her giant grin wasn't helping.
"You're impossible," I rolled my eyes while she laughed.
Emma slid onto the edge of my desk and swung her legs like a child. Now that she was officially five months pregnant, her baby bump was visible. Yet, that didn't slow down her sex drive the least bit.
"Have you ever thought about taking me over your desk," she tapped the wooden desk below her, "right here?" I glanced up to meet her green eyes sparkling with anticipation and shook my head once again.
"We don't have time, your appointment is in a half hour," I sternly reminded her. I turned around on my heel, but she was quick to grasp my wrist and pulled me between her legs.
"We can have a quickie," she offered as her mouth went straight for my neck, alternating between kissing and sucking.
Why am I always like putty when it comes to this woman?
"No Swan! We have to meet Ruby and Belle there." I stepped back from her hold before things escalated, like they always seem to do.
"Fine! You owe me when we get home!" She quipped while sliding effortlessly off my desk. "And we will have sex on this desk one day," she demanded before strolling confidently toward the door.
What am I going to do with her?
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I kept a close eye on Emma as we were patiently waiting for the nurse to call her name once more. This has become routine now. We are here at her doctor's office, once a month for her check up to make sure everything is going well with her and the baby.
Today is a big day though, Emma finds out the sex of the baby. She still hasn't been one hundred percent sure on her decision regarding the unborn. Every day I watch her stomach grow and every day I fall more in love with this tiny baby I haven't even met yet. If it's anything like it's mother, I will be madly in love.
"Emma Swan?" All four of us women stood in unison and walked united to the door.
"It's okay if they all come in to find out the gender, right?" Emma shyly asked, while she peered at the nurse for her approval.
"Of course, but once I reveal the gender only one can stay in there. This is a longer ultrasound, I need to measure all the baby's body parts."
"Okay that's fine, thank you."
We all followed behind Emma into the tiny dark room. I claimed my seat in my usually chair as Emma climbed on to the bed. Ruby and Belle stood next to my chair as we waited for the process to begin.
The cold gel was spread across Emma's pale stomach with a probe. Without any delay we heard the rush of the baby's heartbeat boom through the room. Both Ruby and Belle shifted next to me and I could see their emotions written all over their faces. Emma's smile was as wide as cheeks would allow.
"I love that sound," she confirmed proudly.
My hand was reaching out and gently resting upon her shoulder before I could comprehend what I was doing. My skin was itching to touch hers like I'm some sort of addict and she was my drug. In this moment I could feel how we both needed the comfort of each other's touch.
"Okay, is everyone ready?" The nurse inquired as she caught Emma's gaze.
"Yes," Emma confirmed as we all stared at the screen waiting for the gender to be revealed.
"It's a...boy," the nurse exclaimed with so much joy, like she was a part of our close group.
"Awww!" Everyone gushed out together as we watched the beautiful baby boy wiggle across the screen.
Tears were quickly forming in my eyes as I looked over at Emma. Her face was blank as she remained silent. My mind raced as I began to worry, thinking she might be assuming this boy will be just like Neal.
"Okay ladies if you could please step out so we can finish up here," the nurse said while staring at the two brunettes standing.
The nurse knows by now that I'm always here and I'll be the one staying. Ruby and Belle hugged Emma and said a quick congratulation before disappearing out the door.
"Okay this may take a little while, depending on how much this little guy wants to cooperate."
"Well if he's anything like his mother, we will be here for quite some time," I teased.
"Hey!" Emma whined as the nurse laughed at her expense.
The nurse measured his legs, arms, head and torso. We inspected his tiny fingers and adorable toes. When we came across his little nose, I swear all I saw was Emma.
"I love him," I heard Emma mumble to herself provoking my heart to skip a beat.
"I'm having a hard time getting a clear picture of his heart, he won't let me look at the chambers," the nurse explained. "Try rolling on your side please." Emma obeyed as the nurse poured more gel and swiped the probe along the blonde.
"Nope. Okay I'm going to try and move him."
She bounced the probe up and down in an attempt to annoy the baby. I watched as a little foot popped out, raising Emma's stomach slightly on one side.
"Nope he's not cooperating."
"Stubborn, just like his mother," I joked as Emma playfully swatted at my arm.
"That's okay, maybe next time. You're all set. Congratulations on your baby boy!"
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My head was buried into the pillow next to my best friend. I was half asleep, but I could tell she was thinking hard. Her hand had been slowly drawing circles against her growing baby bump for the past hour now.
"Gina?"
"Hmmm?"
"I'm going to keep him," my eyes flew open and I shifted up onto my elbows, so I could gauge her reaction.
"Seriously?"
Every time we talk about this, she always says maybe or but. This is the first time she has ever sounded confident.
"I love him so much. I'm keeping him." I leaned in, wrapping my arms around her shoulders.
"I am so happy for you! We will all be here to help. You don't have to worry about a thing," I vowed, and she nodded in return, but something was off. She was abnormally quiet.
"I was thinking...I don't have any good, male role models in my life. The way you talk about your dad makes my heart melt. I want to name him after your dad. Henry." My heart took off racing from the overwhelming amount of joy coursing through my body.
"Are you sure? You haven't even met him?"
"I don't need to meet him to know that he is the reason for your big heart. I know your mother didn't do that, he did. Your love, selflessness and fun side is all him." I pulled her in once more as tears of joy filled my eyes.
"Thank you so much Emma! I love it!"
"Of course. Now I want you to pick out his middle name."
"What? No Emma, you're already naming him after my father, that's more than enough."
"I mean it, I don't know any men worth naming this baby after. Please do this."
"Well the only other good man I've ever known was Daniel."
"Then Henry Daniel Swan, it is!" Emma squealed with excitement.
I watched her hand glide aimlessly across her stomach. The small movement was filled so much love and adoration, I couldn't pry my eyes away. I continued to examine every touch, every rub as she bonded with her baby.
I leaned forward to kiss her cheek, but she moved forcing my lips to land upon hers. My eyes doubled in size from the surprise action. Assertively, she cupped my cheek and pulled my face closer for the most passionate kiss I think we ever shared.
She's going to be the death of me.
I pulled away fairly quickly feeling far too many emotions I know shouldn't be.
"Thank you."
"No thank you! You are here for me and this baby every day. I wouldn't have been able to get through any of this without you. I am so proud to call you my best friend."
My heart sank. I want to be so much more...
"I'm going to have to get a new place. The baby needs his own room," Emma mumbled to herself.
"Why don't you move into my place? I have three bedrooms. You can have your own room and we can set up the other room for Henry's nursery. I'm here all the time, it will be nice not having to pay a mortgage for an empty townhouse," I explained gently not wanting to scare her off.
"Are you serious? You would do that?"
"Of course, I would. Anything for this little prince." My eyes focused on the growing baby bump. My heart was beating rapidly for how much love I already have for this baby.
Emma reached across her stomach and placed her hand on top of mine. She guided my hand over the bump and gently placed my hand on top. Excitement flooded my veins while my heart fluttered continuously with love. A swift movement pressed into the palm of my hand. I was tempted to jerk my hand away, but I was also intrigued to feel more.
"Oh wow! Did you feel that? He must really like you," Emma chuckled.
I fought back my tears because there's nothing like feeling a baby kick your hand.
"Awww, he likes the nickname, prince," I smiled as I felt another kick to my hand. "His name is perfect for him. He's so strong already."
"So, you are absolutely sure about this? It's a lot to have a roommate but then to throw a baby in on top of that. We are going to be disrupting your life," Emma attempted to reason.
"You will not be disrupting my life. You will be filling it with such joy. I can't wait to meet this little guy. Besides we are together all the time anyways and we sleep together almost every night. It really won't be that different."
I want to talk to her about being more, but I just can't. I don't want to add any more pressure than she already has going on in her life. The thought of her saying no... I don't think I could handle losing her or this baby. I rather remain friends than risk losing them.
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Since Emma is moving in, I figured I should probably start working on cleaning out the third room for Henry's nursery. Right now, the room is set up as an office. There's no need for anything in here, I just needed to fill the space when I first purchased my home.
I started moving some of the furniture out of the room when my phone rang. Zelena.
"Hello," I answered, wedging the phone between my shoulder and ear.
"Hey sis! You were supposed to call me yesterday. So, what's the gender?" Zelena questioned full of excitement.
"Oh yes, I'm sorry I forgot to call, it was a crazy day, but she's having a boy!" I couldn't contain my own excitement as I screeched into the phone.
"Yay! That's so amazing!" Zelena squealed.
"Guess what, she decided she's going to keep him and she's going to name him Henry after our father."
"Are you serious? That's wonderful news," she sincerely replied. "Is she going to stay in the apartment with the girls?"
"Uh...about that," I began not really wanting to discuss this with her because I knew exactly what she would say.
"What?" She breathed out a deep, frustrated groan and I could only imagine where this conversation is headed.
"She's going to move in with me. I have two extra rooms, enough for her and the baby."
"Are you dense?"
"I beg your pardon?!" I snapped.
"You're an idiot. Do you think this is the best idea?"
"Yes, I do. I'm not worried about the adjustment with having a baby around."
"I'm not worried about that either. I'm more concerned with the fact that you think it's okay to have the girl you have a crush on, move into your home with her baby. What do you plan on doing, raising the baby together and pretend to be a family?"
"I don't have a crush on Emma," I strictly informed my sister.
"Oh, come on! I see the way you two look at one another. It's no secret. Besides, a little birdy told me that she walked in on Emma going down on you!" I groaned in frustration and knew she was never going to let this go.
"I'm going to kill Ruby!"
"That's all you have say?" She screamed through the phone so loud I had to pull the device away from my ear. I sighed because I really didn't know what to say.
"Zelena, its...it's not like that."
"You can't lie to your own sister. I know you and I know you haven't allowed anyone in since Daniel, until now. I know you are in love with her but having her move in won't make this situation any easier. It will only make it harder unless she returns your feelings." I rolled my eyes knowing she couldn't see my frustrations with her.
"No, we can remain friends and I can help out with the baby."
"What happens when she decides one day she wants to move or better yet...what happens if Neal comes back and Emma wants them to all be a happy family and leaves you behind," her words were cold as ice sending a horrible pain right through my heart.
"Emma would never do that to me. She wouldn't take Henry away from me," I demanded.
"You don't know that sis. There's nothing keeping her from picking up and taking that baby with her. Where does that leave you? Especially now that I know you are already attached to him and he's not even born yet," she sighed heavily while I stood there in silence, processing her words.
"I know Emma, she wouldn't take him away from me."
"You better think about this," she commanded.
"I already have, it's already done. She's moving in," this time I had a little more confidence in my words, but I still felt a nagging pain in my heart.
"Mother will murder you."
"I know," I mumbled in defeat.
"I love you Regina, I just want to see you happy."
"I know. Thank you for looking out for me," I meekly replied knowing she truly does have my best interest at heart.
"That's what big sisters are for. Okay keep me updated on the little guy. Love you!"
"Love you too, bye."
I set the phone down and went straight back to work, ignoring my true feelings once more.