Chapter 21

As Henry's birthday approached, the boy had become more defiant throughout the week with tantrums and a lot of screaming that even Emma couldn't handle. Especially as she still didn't feel completely better. Taking the boy up for a bath in the hope of calming him, Regina runs the water then fills the tub with his favourite toys. Setting Henry in, the brunette kneels down and swishes the water gently. Shoving her hand out of the water, the boy glares tiredly.

"Henry..come on you need to stop. I cannot help you if you're moody.."

Walking into the bathroom, clad in fresh pajamas for an early bedtime which she didn't complain about, Emma mimics her mother and kneels down before reaching for her brother in an attempt to play with him. Henry smiles towards his sister momentarily before lifting a toy and throwing it in the brunette's direction. Managing to catch it, the young Principal looks shocked. "Henry!"

Frowning, the small blonde appears confused. "Henry that's not nice..why are you being mean to mommy?"

Being told off by Regina was one thing but being told off by his sister was another. Giving a pout, the boy grows teary. "Mama.." Looking towards the brunette, Henry holds his wet arms out sadly.

The brunette stands then lifts him out of the bath to be dried. "You're just tired arn't you baby.." Settling him inside his cot for bedtime, Regina leans down to kiss his head then gently taps his nose. "Goodnight little Prince..its a big day tomorrow. Love you"

Giving a small smile, Henry waves then looks towards Emma who is lifted up to also say goodnight. "Night Henry! Love you lots like jelly tots!" The girl lets out a small giggle causing the boy's smile to widen. Chuckling herself, the young Principal lowers the girl back down then leads her out the bedroom, switching the night light on the way unaware that Henry rolls over onto his side and gives a sniffle.

Tucking Emma into bed, Regina checks her forehead before spooning her some medicine then lifting the covers while making sure the girl has her teddy. "Goodnight Emma. If you need me or Mal in the night just come in okay?"

Nodding, the small blonde kisses her mothers cheek then hugs her teddy before closing her eyes. Leaving the room, the brunette smiles to herself then heads downstairs to the living room. Looking across from the couch, Maleficent questions the woman. "How did it go?"

Sniggering, Regina sits beside her then moves closer as the older blonde holds an arm out. "He threw his toy at me..clearly tired. I just hope he hasn't got what Emma had.."

Wrapping her arms around the woman, Maleficent presses her nose into the brunette's hair then kisses her head. "I'm sure he is fine..just getting to that age where he wants to be independent and he is frustrated about it"

"Maybe.." Hugging into the blonde, the young Principal sighs while resting her head down to watch the TV.

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Sitting up in bed, Emma rubs her eyes then stands to go use the bathroom. Pausing in the corridor after going, the small blonde bites her lip at hearing a muffled sound. Walking up to her brother's bedroom door, she peers inside with worry to find that it is her brother who is making the noise. Heading towards the stairs, Emma carefully walks down using the banister then goes into the living room. "Mommy..Mallie.."

Having heard the girl, Regina pushes herself up from resting on Maleficent as the pair look over confused. "What is it baby? Are you okay?"

Shaking her head, the small blonde points to the stairs. "Henry's crying.."

Frowning with worry, the brunette stands and hastily makes her way up while the older blonde helps the girl back upstairs. Entering the boy's room, Regina leans over the cot. "Henry?"

Rolling onto his back, Henry peers up with a tear stricken face then tilts his head towards the door seeing Emma and Maleficent. Managing to choke out his sisters name, the boy hiccups. "Emma!"

Releasing the older woman's hand, the small blonde quickly goes up to the cot and places her arm between the bars to take his hand. "Its okay Henry. I'm here..why are you sad?"

Walking into the room, Maleficent places her hand behind Regina's back as the pair watch the siblings. The boy turns onto his knees then lifts himself up to stand and holds his arms out to his sister. Knowing how to comfort him, Emma follows her usual trick of reaching for her stool to stand on then lowers the cot gate to lift him out and hug him. Henry immediately hugs into her and calms with a cheeky grin. Raising an eyebrow, the young Principal sighs with a head shake. "I should have known.."

The older blonde looks towards her girlfriend confused. "Regina? What is it?"

Rubbing her head, the brunette gestures towards the children. "When we moved here, I checked with Emma if she was okay being in a seperate room from Henry but I never gave it a thought to check with him..I thought he wouldn't be phased by it and now..now I see it. He's been moody because he's been tired and I'm guessing, that is from lack of sleep due to not having Emma with him..they have never been apart since leaving their parents.."

Trailing her hand to Regina's shoulder, Maleficent looks sad. "You wern't to know.."

Looking down, the young Principal fiddles with her hands. "Every time I do something wrong..it makes me wonder if I am what is best for them but then I see them smile or call me their mom and..the doubt disappears"

"Good because you are doing an amazing job..at it all...being a mother..running the school..being with me.." Smiling playfully, the older blonde pecks her cheek.

Not being able to resist a smile, the brunette squeezes her hand then walks up to her children. "Okay you two back to bed.." Seeing the panicked look on Henry's face, Regina strokes his cheek. "You're going to stay with Emma.."

Immediately grinning, the boy squashes into his sister again gaining a giggle from the girl. Emma takes hold of his hand and tug him to the door. "Come Henry..I will let you have teddy too"

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"Wakey wakey Henry!" Emma sits up and shakes her brother's shoulder gently. "Its your birthday!"

Henry pulls a face having been woken then remembers that he is in his sister's bed and smiles sleepily. Looking towards the door, the small blonde grins at seeing Regina and Maleficent stroll in, both wearing their robes. As they both sit at the foot of the bed, the brunette winks at the girl then leans over to her son and blows on his tummy to wake him more. Breaking out in giggles, Henry kicks his legs then sits up to crawl over and hug his mother around her neck. Smiling, the young Principal smothers him in kisses. "That's more like it. Happy Birthday little Prince"

Stroking his head, Maleficent then presses a kiss on his crown. "Happy Birthday Henry"

Bouncing slightly, Emma slides off her bed and grabs her robe. "Can we go down now?!"

Chuckling at the girl's excitement, Regina nods then lifts Henry up with her. "Yes. I think there may be one or two presents downstairs..." Nuzzling the boys nose, the brunette smiles as they make their way downstairs.

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Sat on the floor in the living room surrounded by a mixture of unopened presents and torn wrapping paper, Henry looks in full concentration as he attempts his new shape sorter from Maleficent while Regina comes back through with some batteries for his toys while Emma waits patiently to hand over her present and the older blonde is sat on the couch setting up the star projection light she had also brought.

"Henry! Open mine!" The small blonde holds the present out in front of him, blocking his view of his game. Trailing his eyes across, the boy drops his mouth open and takes it, pulling at the paper straight away. Grinning at what he sees, Henry holds it up to his mother to open then presses his new phone to his ear. "Hello?!"

Side hugging him, Emma smiles. "Love you Henry"

Opening the rest of his presents from Regina the boy babbles happily at his wooden blocks, drums and feely books before gasping in surprise and clapping at his push trolley in the shape of a crane. Standing up the boy immediately collects his toys and places them one by one into the compartment before toddling off and pushing it around the room.

Watching with matching smiles, Maleficent leans closer to Regina and whispers. "He's not the only one who has a present.."

Intrigued, the brunette raises an eyebrow then bites her lip as she follows the older blonde with her eyes as the woman retrieves an envelope and passes it over. Waiting for permission, the young Principal opens it once Maleficent sits beside her with a nod. Peering at a piece of paper, Regina reads and gradually becomes wide eyed. "When did this come in?"

Smiling, the older blonde answers. "This morning but I wanted you to be given it properly. I know we both knew they would stay but..it makes it more official doesn't it? They are completely yours"

"Ours.." Regina responds as she slowly smiles while staring at the final adoption certificate which has replaced the children's parents with her name, legally making them Emma and Henry Mills.

A/N: sorry if the adoption process is not correct but I thought it would be sweet to add the name change in!