Emma Swan
My body flung forward in bed, gasping for air as my muscles trembled in sheer panic. Regina jerked awake as I continued to struggle for oxygen to break through the constricting walls within my lungs. A warm gentle hand rested upon my back, instantly calming all my fears.
"Emma? What's wrong? Is it the baby?" She softly spoke into the night trying to ease my frantic state.
"I-just, the baby's fine. It's not him," I stammered while taking in a few sharp breaths.
"Okay," her hand began rubbing soothing circles against my back knowing that the baby and I were safe. "You're soaked in sweat, are you sure you're okay?"
"I am. I promise. Just a nightmare," I explained between my deep breaths.
Regina climbed out of bed and stumbled across the floor as if she were intoxicated, most likely from the lack of light and her sleepy state. She opened her dresser drawer and pulled out an oversized shirt. She climbed back into bed while I peeled the dampened shirt from my body, understanding her request.
"Thank you," I muttered as she offered me the shirt. I slipped the dry material over my head while Regina pulled my long locks out from the back. Her light touch caused my flesh to breakout in goosebumps while I shivered from my damp skin.
Regina slowly laid back down in the bed. "Come lay down," she suggested through a raspy, over tired voice. I obliged and slid back down into the warmth of the sheets. "Do you want to talk about your nightmare?" Her fingers skimmed across my cheek until they found some stray locks and swept them behind my ear. Sometimes I believe that maybe she can feel the same way about me by the way she gazes into my eyes alone.
"I'm eight months pregnant and I'm not prepared. I don't have a crib or a car seat yet. Can I really do this? Be a mother?" I rambled as all my fears came pouring out of my mouth without a filter.
"Em, this is common. I read this is your nesting period. Every mom has that dream where they feel unprepared and they clean and organize obnoxiously hoping to settle their anxiety about the baby."
"See, even you read the baby books! How am I going to do this?" I whined while burying my face against her chest, to hide away from my cruel reality.
"Emma, I promise, you're going to be an excellent mother. Remember how guarded and broken I was when we first met?"
"You're still guarded."
"With strangers, yes, but with you I'm not. That's because you showed me how much you cared for me. You're going to show this baby so much love. I promise, that's all that truly matters when it comes to being a mother and your heart is so big, he's going to feel overwhelmed with love." I sigh and fight back my tears as she holds me close to soothe my haunting fears. "How about tomorrow we spend the day shopping for the rest of the stuff this baby needs, hmmm?"
Regina places her hand against my enormous baby bump inspiring my son to kick her hand.
"I guess he agrees with you."
Regina rubs lightly against the spot my baby just kicked. His foot pops out again like some alien trying to escape my body. I laugh to myself at how weird this actually looks as his protruding foot glides across my stomach.
"I cannot wait to me this cutie," Regina admits while her hand chases the wandering foot.
"Do you think he'll have Neal's hair color?"
Regina's hand continues to play some game of tag with my son's foot with a permanent smile across her lips.
"Maybe. I hope he inherits your gorgeous green eyes. We need more people in this world with green eyes," she replies never once tearing her eyes away from her game with my baby.
"I hope he takes after me," I chuckle as my hand subconsciously rests against my stomach.
"If he looks anything like you, I'll be screwed," she deadpans while rolling her eyes.
I softly hum my response while nuzzling closer into her chest. Without processing my actions, I lightly press my lips to her chest and exhale with relief. It isn't long before I fall asleep in her arms with her warm hand protectively against my baby.
XXXXXXXXX
I've been picking up every shift possible at Granny's, trying to save as much as I can before the baby's arrival. I still haven't found a job relating to my degree, but I have been taking a few online courses to help with my masters, until Henry comes.
"This one?" Regina pointed to the most beautiful cherry wood crib I have ever laid eyes on. When I picked up the price tag I thought my jaw was going to come unhinged.
"Are you insane? For a crib?" I squawked as my eyes were glued to the numbers thinking that maybe I misread the price.
Regina ripped the tag from my hands and assessed the price for herself.
"Oh, come now, it's not that bad," she rolled her big brown eyes at me while I huffed in response. "What if I buy the crib because nothing else seems to be good enough for you."
"No! You are not buying this crib, it's way too expensive. Besides you're already letting us live with you. That's more than enough."
"I'm buying the crib Swan and you cannot stop me."
"Seriously? What are you five?"
"No, you're the one that's acting like a child and that's why I refuse to argue with you about this here. I'm buying it, end of discussion."
My attention was quickly drawn to an elderly lady watching us over a set of baby clothes she was holding in the air to examine. I snapped my head towards the woman, inspiring a kind smile to form upon her lips.
"You too are adorable together. My husband and I used to bicker the same way."
"We aren't together," Regina and I said at the same time causing the woman to blush and smile ever wider at us.
"I never said that you were, I assumed you two were friends."
The stranger hastily turned around, finally minding her own business. Regina and I couldn't help but laugh the moment our eyes met.
"Thank you," I shyly whispered.
"For what?" She questioned as one eyebrow raised quizzically.
"For the crib, for everything. Thank you."
"You are more than welcome. Let's finish up, we've been here far too long."
I smiled at my friend and proceeded to follow her around until everything on my list was purchased.
When we arrived at home, Ruby came by to help us set up Henry's nursery. Regina had cleared everything out a couple months ago so all we had left to do was decorate. Regina surprised me one day about two weeks ago, she had painted one wall baby blue as an accent wall. This woman is absolutely amazing.
I need to talk to her about us because I don't think I can hide my feelings any longer.
"I can't figure out this damn crib," Ruby scuffed as she threw down the instructions with rage.
"Aren't you a lesbian? Isn't the stereotype, like you can build anything?" I teased as I folded Henry's washed clothes.
"Then you and Regina should have no problem putting this together!" Ruby snapped, glaring back at me in challenge. I rolled my eyes, shaking my head and completely ignoring her comment. "And I swear if one of you say we are just friends I'm walking out of here!"
Regina and I both laughed but the moment our eyes locked onto one another's, we both fell silent. The way her eyes gazed into mine made me believe for just a second, that maybe she could love me back.
"Emma why don't you try working on the crib. Ruby you can help me lift this dresser to the corner and move the rocking chair," Regina delegated in which we both obeyed.
XXXXXXXXX
After three hours of setting everything up and organizing I felt exhaustion take over. Ruby had left, and I was already in bed. Well Regina's bed...
"You aren't asleep yet?" Regina asked as she tip toed into her room, assuming I would have succumbed to a heavy slumber by now.
"I can't sleep. This guy is in my ribs and in my hips! I'm terrified how big he actually is. I obviously can't sleep on my stomach, I can't breathe if I sleep on my back and my hips fall asleep every time I sleep on my side!" I rambled on from being overly tired and my hormones forcing me to be crabby as hell.
"I'm sorry Em," Regina uttered, lifting the comforter so she could climb in next to me.
"He hates me!" I laughed as I cuddled into her side without a second thought.
"He doesn't hate you," she demanded while wrapping her arms around me. The faint smell of laundry detergent and fresh apples invaded my nostrils and clouded my mind. Regina's scent. I sighed in relief and reveled in her comforting touch around me. "...he's just a pain in the ass like his mother." Regina laughed provoking my playful side to spring to life.
My teeth sunk into her warm flesh of her shoulder eliciting the most adorable giggle to break from her plump lips.
"Well he's going to be stuck with two pains in the ass then!" I retorted.
"I am personally offended," she scoffs teasingly. "I cannot wait for that little boy to come running to me because you are annoying him." She smiled from ear to ear and pressed her nose into mine.
I closed my eyes and inhaled sharply, taking in this wonderful moment between us. Now is the time, I need to confess my true feelings, now more than ever. I take another deep breath as I work up the courage to ask Regina Mills to be mine...or at least maybe one date...
"So, I've been thinking, maybe we should talk about," my words were cut off immediately, as a sharp pain sliced through my lower abdomen.
I flung forward, gripping my stomach for dear life as I held my breath. Regina scrambled to her knees, placing a comforting hand to my back, hoping to relieve some of my pain.
"Are you okay?" Her voice shook with fear, expressing just how concerned she was for me.
"Yeah," I shake my head and take a deep breath as the agonizing pain slowly dissipates. "I think we need to talk about u-" Another sharp blow to my lower abdomen forced my body to hunch over from the excruciating pain. "Shit!" The shooting pain was too intense to move or even breathe for that matter.
"Can you walk? Let's get you to the hospital," Regina was already rushing to my side of the bed to help me up.
"No, it's too soon," I whimpered in a shaky breath.
"Hey, look at me," she held my hand tightly, but I couldn't move from the pain. "Em, look at me," I strained to catch her gaze. "This doesn't mean the baby is coming, we are just going to the hospital to get you checked out. If Henry is ready to make an appearance then that means you get to sleep in peace, without a baby pressing into your sides."
She smiled sweetly attempting to lighten the mood, so I nodded as she helped me up from the bed. She wrapped her arm protectively around my waist as she guided me down the stairs.
"I'm going to call Ruby, I'm sure she would want to know. I'll text Belle later since she's out of town with Robert," Regina informed of her plan as she bent down and slipped my boots on for me.
"Okay," was all I could manage to say as I held on to my round baby bump as fear plagued my mind.
XXXXXXXXX
Regina made record time, screeching her tires as we pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. Luckily, there was valet parking for moments just like this. Regina hopped out of her side of the car and rushed over to mine. Her face was impassive as she held out her hand and helped me out of the car to escort me inside. Despite her emotionless mask, I could still feel just how terrified she was in this moment.
Before I knew it, I was hooked up to machines and baby monitors in my own private room. Regina was pacing around the room while she spoke to Belle on the phone, updating her of my status.
"Uh...Regina?"
A loud pop echoed in the room just before a warm liquid rushed from my between my legs. My face scrunched with disgust as Regina whipped around to check on me.
"What's wrong Em?" She asked holding the phone away from her mouth.
"I think my water just broke."
Regina rushed to my side and fumbled with the remote to hit the call button for the nurse.
"Belle, I have to call you back, it looks like Henry is ready."
My friend ended the call and placed her phone back into her purse. A young blonde nurse with her hair pulled back tight and bright blue eyes entered wearing a warm smile.
"How are you feeling?" She quizzed as she walked to my side to check the monitors. She picked up a sheet of paper as her eyes swept across the information regarding my baby.
"I think my water just broke. Isn't it too early? Is he going to be okay?" I was in a horrific panic and I couldn't control all the questions spilling from my mouth.
The nurse smiled down on me professionally, "I'm going to grab the doctor and we will be right back."
She left the room without acknowledging my spew of questions, making me panic even more inside. I turned my attention to the nervous brunette next to me, hoping she could calm my anxious nerves. Her arms were folded, closing herself off from the world but no matter how hard she tried, I could still see the worry in her eyes.
"Regina?"
She blinked a few times as she stared off at the door where the nurse just disappeared through. She shook her head slightly before returning her attention to me. The brunette grabbed my hand tightly and rubbed my arm for support.
"It's going to be fine Em. Henry is strong enough, you said so yourself, he's huge!" She joked around and smiled, almost convincing me that she believed in her words, but I knew she was holding back her fear for my sake.
The doctor entered my room with a wide smile and the same nurse following closely behind.
"Hello Emma, I'm Doctor Whale and I'm here to help you deliver this baby." I nodded as I watched the man read over the information on the monitors, just as the nurse did moments ago. "So, do you know what you are having?" He asked absentmindedly as he resumed reading the chart.
"Shouldn't you know that kind of information already, if you're going to be delivering this baby?" Regina spat coldly.
"A boy," I quickly interjected.
I shot Regina a scolding glare for being so rude, but she simply rolled her eyes and tapped her fingers against her elbow.
"The gender is the last thing I need to know about," the doctor retorted while flashing Regina a stern look.
"Dr. Whale, isn't this too early for my son? Is he going to be okay?"
The panic was rapidly bubbling to the surface once again. My chest constricted painfully as my mind wandered to the darkest of my fears. What would happen if my baby didn't make it? I don't think it would be possible to leave this hospital without my baby in my arms. There is no way I could move on in life if something happened to my baby boy.
"Well it looks like you are close to thirty-six weeks, that's actually the safe zone for your baby. Everything is developed, the last four weeks are mostly weight development. According to the ultrasound measurements he's around six pounds, which is more than healthy for him to be born."
Regina and I both blew out a heavy sigh of relief as she reached for my hand once again.
"Oh god did I miss anything? Is he here?" Ruby questioned as she came barreling in through the door a frantic mess.
"No, you're right on time," Regina confirmed through a broad grin as Ruby stumbled to my side.
"Oh, thank god! I was so nervous I was going to miss out!"
My former roommate placed a small kiss to my forehead and swept away a few damp locks that were clinging to my temples.
"Your contractions aren't too far apart. I'm going to check to see how far you are dilated and we will take it from there. Also, you are allowed two people in the room when you deliver," the doctor educated me as his eyes met mine for my reply.
"It will just be these two," I verified and smiled up at both of my friends.