Author's Note:Yay it's time for the special election. Unfortunately Snow and David aren't done. If you don't hate them yet you will hate them now, but they are about to slowly deescalate. Like agonizingly slow though in different ways in the two chapters after this will mark some changes into how they are currently seeing things. Important reminder though, our growing family is happy despite them.
Chapter Seven
Revolt
"Gold we need your help," David told him angrily as he and Mary Margaret walked in. It hadn't taken long at all for most of the town and council as they were not all royals to call the town to vote on the matter that night rather than let the fight come to physical blows. Although from the looks he suspected the coup had been in the works for a while unbeknownst to their supporters. Belle lurked just behind the curtain listening in. They must know that she was going to vote Regina in for sure.
"What can I do for you?" Gold asked. "I hope you aren't here to ask me to sway the election." He giggled.
"We don't need that no, we believe that once the people see I have presented them with an heir not bewitched by the Evil Queen, the vote will be easy for them. They love Emma, and Blue will have a cure for her that's for sure, but in the mean time they need to see that they will be protected by the line of White. One heir has never been enough, if Regina hadn't killed my father's offspring, they would have more faith and it's time I gave them more."
"If I'm not mistaken, you don't need help from me getting an heir," He said knowing she was already pregnant.
"No, you can speed up the pregnancy I need the baby born today so I can present him tonight. I also need reassurances that it will be a boy this time, a strong knight who can certainly defeat the likes of the Evil Queen." Belle fumed trying not to object to the fact that Emma was strong and brave as any boy.
"Ah I see and are you willing to pay the price?" He asked them. "Because after all dears all magic comes with a price."
"We'll give you whatever you want," David told them.
"Oh no, the price won't be paid to me this time, I think I will let the magic decide the price." He gave them some powder.
"Drink this in a glass of water," He said. He produced water for them as Belle texted furiously on her phone. Let them pay the price she knew it wouldn't make a difference, this was not the enchanted forest, they were not good rulers. David heaped a large spoonful into a cup of water without asking Gold how much and Gold didn't stop him. As he said all magic came with a price and this was already their second mistake. Mary Margaret drank it; the effects were immediate, and Belle had to help Mary Margaret to the hospital with David.
"You know when I got Belle's text, I never thought you would be this stupid," Emma commented as she shook her head later at the meeting. Mary Margaret was happily showing off her new little prince Leopold Nolan. Regina had balked at the name and said the child didn't deserve such a fate. She had stretched out a pair of suit pants, shirt, and vest and despite her obvious bump, she looked as always like the immaculate Madam Mayor they had all come to know albeit with longer hair that was straightened and curled only slightly at the ends and lay perfectly down her back. Regina exuded power.
"Let's just get this started and don't worry Emma we will free you," Mary Margaret told her. Mary Margaret gave a very long winded speech about the old days really it being her rightful place as mayor and how she had given them a proper heir which cut Emma like a knife. Regina was just a usurper who had cursed them all. "I will not let the Evil Queen return you to the boot of her heel."
"Okay well I'll keep this short and to the point," Regina told them. "As you all know it's time for you to formally vote for my term in office to end early as this did not officially occur. During my absence the town budget has been disrupted and money has been pulled from key sources like schools, town maintenance, and emergency services. Pay has been slashed of all town hall employees except for former royals, apart from Sheriff Swan, as she has long since cast her support in my direction. If you vote for me to return to office tonight, my secretary and I will work tirelessly to return the town budget to what it used to be. We will hire competent police officers to help Sheriff Swan make this town safe again. There will be no lenience shown towards gangs who repeatedly rob Granny's and the grocery store or gratifiers. I promise to get rid of all the useless new offices that have given to former royals unnecessary power and money."
"Will you be going on maternity leave again?" Someone shouted.
"Yes, she will, but I promise you, I will run everything smoothly in her absence as I did when she adopted young Henry and I will have the help this time of Kathryn Midas. Kathryn is a trusted member of society among you all and a lawyer. She will be helpful in helping me follow all of Mayor Mills instructions." Regina beamed at her secretary, she was honestly going to say no and suffer for the betterment of the town.
"Just one more thing to add before we get to more questions and our vote," Regina told the crowd. "I promise to follow the law of the land and not make up my own as I go." With that the majority of the room just stood up to go to the voting booths.
"Please people remember a vote for me is a vote against the Evil Queen." A random citizen who had already voted went to the mic.
"Yeah you know I have to be honest, I wasn't so bad under the Evil Queen as long as you weren't in the area and didn't try to force me to help you," He told her. "I mean even in the Enchanted Forest I was always ten times cleaner than when your father ruled and you ruled. And honestly now I'm really happy with standard of living. Fuck the Enchanted Forest, because indoor plumbing is my new best friend."
"Yes, sir, yes, indoor plumbing," Emma agreed. He grinned at her and sent her a thumbs up which she returned. Someone else took his place as he went back to his seat for the vote count.
"Evil Queen or not, all I know is for twenty-eight years, I've never had trash collecting outside of my home or seen the city park in such a state. And I heard you intend to cut the pay for everyone in the town."
"Well yes, of course, money needs to go towards the town budget, the pay cut will come in the form of city taxes. It will go into a collective fund that will fix the trash and the park," Mary Margaret told them. Regina knew Mary Margaret had for sure lost now, the people had simply acclimated to a different way of life and interaction with their ruler so to speak.
"My taxes already pay for that," She told them with a glare.
"Well there's also the matter of my and David's salary as your sovereigns. As you know until Regina vacates the mayoral mansion, she is charging us insanely high rent. And now we have an heir to provide for."
"You had an heir and that is misuse of public funds. You have a salary and you don't just get to increase it on a whim while everyone else takes a pay cut below the town poverty line," Regina told her actually shocked.
"Really, because if what you say is true than you bought your house with those public funds, and your expensive Mercedes, and that expensive car you've been letting Emma drive to bribe her onto your side," David snapped. "Your lifestyle and expensive tastes haven't changed at all since you've become a jobless freeloader on the town."
"Wow, I am not some cheap whore easily bribed with shiny things," Emma grumbled.
"So, a few things Shepherd, I took about a quarter of the pay your wife made a few months ago if the rumors are true, which was in reasonable limits for a small town. Secondly, I own properties around town and made solid investments which has let me have a nice amount of savings. Thirdly that's Emma's car and it was gift, not a bribe, because I honestly don't know what I would have done without her after a surprise baby."
"Wouldn't have a surprise baby if you weren't a whore," Someone said from the crowd and then there was a loud ow and Granny looking more than satisfied.
"Yeah sure, just like I'm sure you went out and create a false pregnancy after making Emma get an abortion," David told her.
"I was never pregnant!" Emma yelled. "God, we're two women living in the same house, just because I bought the test doesn't mean I was the one in need. If you went out and bought a test for Mary Margaret, should I assume that you were the one who was going to take it, no, because that's ridiculous"
"Don't be shy Emma, we know you like Neal, Gold can tell us he was in town what two months ago, you're barely showing," Blue told her.
"Even if Neal had been in town, and I had wanted to be with him, it was highly unlikely to happen as I got a implant to prevent pregnancy for five years and I'd just gotten my newest one before I found him in New York," Emma glared.
"Emma what has she done to you, you don't stop pregnancy, the Kingdom needs heirs!" Mary Margaret cried.
"Yeah well I had a son since only boys seem to count as heirs these days," Emma grumbled. "And I don't think having babies non-stop is healthy."
"Emma I really don't understand you, it is so important that both you and I give the kingdom more heirs," Mary Margaret insisted.
"Mary Margaret that sentiment was only true in the Enchanted Forest, people died every day a thousand times over than they do here. Here your child is likely to survive barring a freak accident," Regina reminded her.
"The votes are in! Leroy drunkenly declared. Once all the votes had been counted in front of everyone it was clear that Regina had been voted for by an overwhelming majority.
"I expect my entire staff at work tomorrow at eight thirty in the morning and we'll have a meeting at nine thirty," Regina told the room. "We have a lot of work to do."
"No, but we have an heir!" Mary Margaret cried.
"All in favor of Regina returning to her position as mayor!" Granny shouted. Mary Margaret shook her head in disbelief as all the hands went up except for a few of her supporters like Blue, Spencer, and Stephen.
"I believe the people have spoken," Belle told her. "And believe me there's no spell, Rumple made sure that I am not easily swayed by other's magic." Mary Margaret went away sobbing that the Evil Queen had tricked the masses.
"No, you just sucked," Ashley called after her.
"Ashley don't kick her when she's down," Sean told her. Ashley shrugged.
"She kicked my friend," Ashley shot back.
"Long Live the Evil Queen!" Some people shouted after Mary Margaret as David ushered her out amid tears.
"Why can't I just be the Queen now," Regina grumbled.
"I think it has less to do with you and more to do with her at the moment if I'm honest," Emma pointed out.
"True." The town meeting dispersed, Emma went to work and fired the dwarves. It was easy, Sleepy was falling asleep almost as soon as he arrived, Leroy was as usual a drunk she could smell the alcohol on him, and Dopey well he just shouldn't be allowed near a fire arm. She promptly put in for Ruby to be one of her new part-time deputies. And would be on the look out for someone who could come on full time. She had her eye on Mulan if she were honest who had come over with Hook, Cora, and Aurora. Cora had dragged them over.
"Kimberly what in the world did she do to my office?" Regina asked. "God so many birds and is that green vomit color on the walls."
"Yes, I know I get nauseous just looking at it," Kimberly told her showing her the photos on the tablet.
"Thankfully some friends of mine were in here all night turning it back into its former glory. Kimberly turned and opened the door and Regina was impressed.
"Oh yes, yes this will do nicely," Regina told Kimberly as she carried in Darien on her hip. They were of course dressed in matching pant suits that Emma had shown up with that morning begging her not to deny her the right to dress them both that morning and style their curls in a similar style of hair put up in a neat bun that said 'fuck with me I dare you' in her words.
"Regina wait!" Regina paused and turned along with Kimberly. Marco came in carrying a what looked like a mini wooden desk, and Henry a black chair.
"Okay good we're just in time." Emma ran in ahead and set the desk up and chair and put little papers with crayons on the desk before she made Regina sit at her desk and got Darien to sit in the smaller chair.
"This is everything I dreamed it would be," Henry cried before he took photos.
"This is so going on the wall here," Emma squealed. "All right carry-on Madam Mayor, I'll just go drop Henry off and be back in time for your meeting." Regina kissed them both goodbye.
"Now time to get started on righting the idiots' wrongs," Kimberly said. "Madam Mayor, Mademoiselle Mayor." Regina chuckled, and Darien cried wanting to be picked up she wasn't wanting to stay at her desk any longer. Regina picked her up and conjured a black leather high chair, so she was level with Regina when she sat and could see onto the desk. That seemed to settle her rather than being so far on the floor though Regina did remove the desk to the side, in case later when she was older she would want to work like mommy. Kimberly saw her dress shoes had been given rhinestones to match her band around her bun. Regina gave her a toy to chew on and then got to business with Kimberly learning what was new, what had been fucked, and what solutions she herself had already come up with. Regina had a very clear idea of what needed to happen by the time she met with her staff.
"Um…Madam Mayor there's a disturbance in front of the town hall you should see," Kimberly told her. They went downstairs, Regina carefully balancing her daughter on her hip. Sure, enough the dwarves were carrying signs and shouting for Regina to leave the office and return the rightful Queen's place. David was of course standing next to Mary Margaret on a literal soap box with a bull horn. Blue had also organized most of the fairies, but Regina didn't take it personal to the other fairies, they were forced to do what Blue wanted. Tinkerbell was on the side shaking her head.
"I tried to convince the other fairies not to listen to Blue, but a las she is in control still, although thankfully she had zero control in the voting booth they said." Tinkerbell told her. "Anyway, now that you're in office I came to see about a job."
"Well Marta who works in the marriage license department and is a second officiate after the mayor quit in protest this morning, you can have her job," Regina told her. "Love seems to be your thing after all." Tinkerbell grinned and nodded. Marta who was nearby looked scandalized that she was so easily replaced.
"When my Queen is back in charge I will take my job back traitor!" Marta yelled at Tinkerbell who ignored her as she went inside to get familiar with the hall.
"Citizens of Storybrooke, join me in the revolt against the Evil Queen, if we all band together and go in now, she cannot stop us all from taking her out of power. You don't have to be afraid!" Regina frowned as a crowd started to grow, if they got dangerous she would poof herself, Demi, Henry, and Emma home and order them to start packing. If they wanted to stay under the incompetent rule of the Shepherd and a spoiled brat fine, but she was not leaving Darien in danger. It would take nothing to incite violence against her. Henry might be safe but not his sister. Darien deserved to grow up happy and healthy.
"Go home!" Someone yelled.
"You're useless as Mayor!" Someone else yelled.
"You're not a Queen!" Another citizen yelled.
"People I know you're putting on a show for her, but I promise you don't have to be afraid of her. We can fight her we have the fairies, we will break the enchantment on Emma and you don't have to worry about the Savior siding with her. The fairies are stronger, we have mined more than enough fairy dust."
"We don't want you!" someone yelled at Mary Margaret before lobbing a tomato at her. Regina's jaw dropped as a revolt did start right before her eyes and not one bit of it was directed at her. Even Dr. Whale threw something at them and that was just a surprise she wasn't ready for. After they had been chased off he marched right up to her a frown on his face.
"I expect that my medical supplies will be replenished and delivered on schedule this week from the outside," He told her before turning on his heel and marching away. At least Dr. Whale now made sense. Emma hurried forward to her and Darien's side.
"Are you all right, what did he say, why is there fruit and vegetables strewn all over?" Emma asked.
"You missed it the town revolted against your parents, chased them away from town hall," Kimberly informed her. "They were causing quite the disturbance."
"Honestly, I thought we'd be leaving town today, with Henry I knew he was safe, but with Darien, I have no trust. And yet I was proved wrong."
"Do you think I should go break it up?" Emma asked frowning at the mess.
"I think they ran out of garbage to throw at them if I am honest. Can I say that it's a good thing, I do not know," Regina said as Darien reached for Emma. She gently took her and as usual automatically placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Why don't we go up and get some work done, you can check on them through the mirror." Regina nodded.
"Sounds like a plan," Regina murmured. Emma nodded and headed back inside with them. A mirror revealed they were already at home, bitching to Blue about getting a potion to disenchant the entire town.
"Um…whatever she makes will it harm people?" Emma asked.
"Only if there's a spell to be broken, but I think most people have been broken from any enchantments on the way over unless they're missing a heart," Regina shrugged. "Which is highly possible, but also possible I can go through my collection and find it If I was the one that took it so no more harm done." Emma nodded. Soon though most of the town hall staff and representatives from government postings like trash collection and park maintenance as well as Emma from the Sheriff's department had filled her office.
"So, I'll just get straight to the point David and Stephen your positions are completely unnecessary and choking the life out of the budget and taking money away from needed employees. You're fired. Midas, I hope you will return to your job at the bank."
"As you wish Madam Mayor, I will also return my paychecks, I've been saving them at Kathryn's urging, I'm not really in need you know." She nodded.
"Of course, thank you Midas" Midas already left out.
"You can't just fire me without cause," David groused. "You said you would follow the law."
"Oh, you need a reason all right, for several weeks straight it has been documented that you did not relieve the Sheriff for her mandatory forty-eight hours off after forty hours of work. Instead she would put in eighty-four hours a week being in the station, not including that she spent twenty-fours back to back over two weeks on call. She was not paid for her on-call hours as it states in her contract nor was she paid for the calls she went out on. She also went unpaid during lunch despite as usual being on call. She could sue the city if she liked, so in order to be able to ensure she gets all of her back pay we need to cut your position. Also, you hired a deputy who was drinking during work hours and has a criminal record of being brought in drunk every night, he's also assaulted multiple town people in this state, you authorized him to use a loaded gun. You gave a gun to a mentally impaired man, and what can I even say except you also gave a gun to a man suffering from severe narcolepsy. And would be of no help to anyone calling in. Thanks for keeping our town safe while our Sheriff was out sick. Do I need to continue about the report I have written up, because I can also refer to your work file as deputy to show you how not qualified you are to work here, breaking and entering the mayor's home?"
"No, you will get yours, the people will reinstate us," He growled and stomped out along with Stephen who was simply outraged at the loss of money.
"Everyone else will receive a dollar raise for putting up with this crap after being returned to your original salaries." There was much cheering. Regina arranged for trash pick up to return asking that they simply return to schedule for the residential areas and put in extra work to clean up all the public areas. She authorized Ruby as part time deputy and helped Emma talk Mulan into starting at the station with her. And they celebrated Tinkerbell joining the staff.
"What can I do for a gang leader?" Regina asked later that afternoon. She'd worked through lunch between growing a new kid and feeding Darien she had been starving but couldn't avoid not working. Everything was just such a mess as she had to send out notes to all business that privacy laws were back in effect and so were worker's rights. She was so exhausted, she had meant to head home with Darien at lunch, but now Darien was sleeping in her cradle for her nap after Regina had conjured it up to the office.
"We just wanted you to know that we won't be anymore trouble your majesty, and we'll begin clean up on the graffiti right away no charge to the city." Regina paused in writing and looked up.
"Good you'll find all the supplies you need downstairs." He nodded.
"Thank you, ma'am, but we've already got everything," He said.
"Very well, I look forward to seeing my town pristine once again," She said.
"So, we're cool then, you won't take our hearts?" He asked. She stared at him for a long moment until she saw him gulp and knew the fear was set in.
"I will let you know when I see how clean my town is Mr. Welsh."
"Yes, Madam Mayor." He ran out. Kimberly chuckled from her desk and kept working. Regina sent out an email organizing the town to come out the next day even students to clean up their lovely park. There was a rumor of drugs even being sold to teens, because that was how bad the park had gotten. There would also need to be some forest clean up too around the edges of the town.
"Oh yes, I see, I will let the mayor know right away," Kimberly said on the phone. She could hear her through her open door. Kimberly hung up and came into her office with a light knock on the door.
"What's wrong?" Regina asked.
"The south part of town, the poor side has apparently been without power for a few weeks now, Mary Margaret kept insisting she would take care of it, as they always asked me to put them straight through. But now with you back in charge, they spoke to me first this time."
"Seriously a few weeks," Regina said as she let out a breath and rubbed her head. Mary Margaret was giving her a headache at her in competencies.
"Woman says she's the one that broke into the bakery one night to keep her babe warm." Regina frowned.
"I'll head out to the power plant now and see what's going on." Kimberly nodded. Regina packed up some things she could look at, at home. Then she packed up Darien into her car seat who didn't like her nap being disturbed. Regina went to the powerplant with Darien in her pram. It took her three hours to figure out the problem and another hour to fix it. It was six when she was heading home with a crying baby who was more than ready to nurse and angry she was now wet.
"Hi, I made dinner," Emma grinned. Regina smiled at her tiredly as she pushed the pram in with her bag. Emma put it away and put the bag to the side. They kissed in greeting, she could hear Henry playing his games. "How was the rest of your day?"
"Thank you, I'll tell you after I get us cleaned up." Emma nodded. Regina took Darien upstairs, they showered and changed coming down in their pajamas already. Henry was already waiting at the table now.
"So, I got mashed banana for Demi and I assume she'll nurse after or before."
"She nursed a little upstairs already." Emma nodded as Darien made the sign for food. Regina began to give her the mashed banana after signing the sign for banana.
"All right so for us I got mashed potatoes, now blackened Salmon, and frozen boiled carrots."
"How did you make these potatoes?" Regina asked curiously as she scooped up a bit and found it horribly watery.
"It was actually great, she boiled French fries and smashed them before adding milk, butter and seasoning." Regina paused and watched Emma who was quietly scolding Henry.
"Wow that's so incredibly lazy I'm impressed. Less milk next time," Regina told her as she ate it. It wasn't her mash potatoes, but it wasn't completely inedible either. Emma blushed as Regina went back to feeding Darien who was signing for more. Once Darien was finished she wanted to nurse, and Regina let her, so she could finally eat one handed properly. Her fish was burned, but she ate around the burnt bits without complaint at least Emma had put cayenne pepper and hot sauce on it.
"Is there ice cream?" Regina asked.
"I thought you might want that," Emma said and brought her, her own carton, though her and Henry only had a bowl. Regina gave her a big smile and was happy to eat her ice cream. Eventually she relaxed more when Darien went to Henry who happily gave her, her first taste of ice cream making sure to get a selfie,
"No fair that was supposed to be my first, kid."
"But Ma, you gotta a whole new baby coming, he has a lot of firsts too."
"Oh, so you've decided it's a boy?" Regina asked him. He nodded.
"Hmm…yes, I've got a sister, now it's time for a brother."
"My money is on a girl she's carrying too high," Emma told him.
"How much money?" Henry asked. "I need another comic, so we could bet the cost of one." Emma snorted.
"Yeah sure kid, I'll take chores as payment since you won't be able to afford your debt," Emma laughed. She turned to Regina. "So, first day back at work, you have nothing to say about it."
"Just that Mary Margaret and David are absolute idiots and it's like she learned nothing from me when I helped her rule over the Kingdom when her father was away. I thought she learned something, anything but no, not a thing. You know I thought the worst she did was screw up the town budget, but no instead I found out why there was a break in at the bakery."
"Really, how did you manage that?" Emma asked.
"The person called apologizing for the crime, and to ask again about the power being put back on in the south of the town. People had no heat or electricity for over two weeks. And because it's Mary Margaret they always asked to be put straight through with her open-door policy she promised for weeks to do it. I think she went there once to the powerplant because everything was a mess and decided that it was too complicated instead of just biting the bullet and asking me like a civilized person. I spent three hours just trying to figure it all out, and then another hour fixing it. Poor woman broke into the bakery for warmth." Emma stared at her open mouthed.
"I can't even," Emma muttered. "I wish you had called me I would have at least taken Darien for you." Regina waved her off.
"It's done now, I'm just so exhausted. She left everything a mess I worked through lunch, just barely managing to eat anything. And I still brought work home, but after the powerplant I just don't think I can get it done. I just want to sleep."
"Then finish up your ice cream and go, I'll put Darien down tonight,"
"Yes, after I do the dishes," Regina said.
"No, you always do the dishes, Henry will do them, he's old enough for chores."
"Oh, but Ma I was going to play another round," Henry whined.
"Henry Daniel dishes now," Emma ordered. Henry pouted but collected the dinner plates. "You've spoiled him."
"Maybe a lot," Regina chuckled. Emma chuckled as well. Regina finished her ice cream plus a turkey sandwich with extra pickles before she was yawning enough to head to bed. Her belly was perfectly round by the time she got upstairs. She would have to stretch out her clothes again.
"How did you get in there?" Regina wondered once she was in bed. She felt completely off balance and she noted her feet were swelling. "Great I knew it everything was deceptively easy with Darien, meanwhile I get to experience pregnancy over a few days with you. Please slow down." Regina lay down on her back and rubbed her belly as she breathed in and out easily reaching a meditative state. She extended her magic to her baby, she knew it was growing healthy and steadily and was able to determine that Henry would likely lose his bet and that the baby had aged to about five months gestation. The only thing she could see was that the baby's own magic was fueling its growth, but whatever magic had been its origin had long since dissipated to her annoyance.
Regina pulled her magic back exhausted as she reached over and took her pre-natal pills. She was vomiting more in the mornings so chose to take her pills at night. She frowned as she thought about if she had possibly been violated physically. The idea made her sick, but most nights these days she had a shield up plus Emma. As a thought she put up a detection spell, no one would enter the property without her knowing it now at least.
"Regina stop doing magic and rest!" Emma yelled up the stairs. Regina chuckled. Regina didn't respond because she didn't like it when Emma and Henry yelled through the house. She turned down the lights and closed her eyes. She didn't think Darien would let Emma put her to bed without nursing, but she would take whatever sleep she could get in between. She had hardly closed her eyes when she knew that four people were on her property and one of them was Blue. She frowned. Getting out of bed she grabbed another of Emma's hoodies and pulled it over her head before she pushed her hands into the pockets to adjust it over her belly. She came downstairs just as Emma was caught tossing Darien in the air. Regina glared at her and Emma grinned at her innocently even though Darien laughed up a storm.
"Hi baby, what's wrong?" Emma asked.
"Don't you hi baby me, you know I don't like that, and Blue is outside my home," Regina frowned. "With your parents." Emma frowned as Henry came over having finished the kitchen and dining room.
"Kid why don't you take Darien upstairs while we see what they want." Henry frowned not wanting to miss the coming fight but took his sister upstairs. Emma opened the front door and sure enough they were standing before the barrier with a toddler in their arms.
"Is something wrong?" Emma asked them. David clenched his jaw refusing to say.
"Something is wrong with Leopold. Blue can't reverse it, and Gold says only Regina can stop it. So, Blue's here to make sure she doesn't hurt him."
"She won't hurt him because she won't do anything to him," Emma said before she started to shut the door.
"Emma!" Mary Margaret cried. "Please help your brother." Emma paused.
"Not doing anything until you ask Regina properly to help fix whatever it is you did to him."
"Fine," Mary Margaret grunted out after they had stared each other down for a few minutes. Regina appeared at the door and waited. "Regina, will you please help us stop Leopold from aging. This morning he was still a newborn and now he's two."
"Yes, I will help him if only because a child is innocent, but Blue doesn't come in my house, she's not welcome." David was outraged.
"Nor does David," Emma said seeing him. She knew he would overreact at any little thing. "You two can stay out here, I'll make sure nothing happens, which it won't."
"The longer you wait the worse it will be," Regina said as Leopold grew yet another age. Mary Margaret quickly walked forward afraid his life would end before it was started which was a real possibility according to Gold.
"What's your price?" David asked her as he was unable to follow his wife.
"Nothing something tells me you've already paid the price," Regina told him as they let Mary Margaret inside and shut the door.
"Henry it's safe to come down now," Emma called. Henry came down with Darien who had looked none too pleased and immediately threw her body towards Emma. She just barely caught her.
"So, to start I need to know how you gave birth to him so fast," Regina said as they went into her study. She had brought a few magic books over intending to get some research done at all as Darien wasn't feeling the vault. She probably felt the hearts in Regina's collection. Regina also remembered being uncomfortable near her mother's hearts as a child. Emma made Mary Margaret sit down and took a seat opposite her with Darien. Henry sat down eager to entertain his new Uncle.
"We went to Gold asked him to speed up the pregnancy."
"Were those your exact words for your request, I need to know what loophole he may have found to screw you over."
"We asked him specifically to ensure an heir, a prince, and to help us speed up the pregnancy. I wanted Leopold born yesterday so I could present him last night." Regina nodded.
"Did he make a potion or a powder?" Regina asked leaping through a book.
"He gave us a powder and said mix it in a glass of water. So, David heaped a big spoonful to make sure I went the full nine months." Regina paused and shut the book hard.
"Did you ask how much powder?" Regina asked. "What price did you pay?"
"He said he would let the magic decide, but there's been nothing yet, and no we didn't ask." Regina let out a breath to expel her anger.
'How can anyone be this stupid?' Regina thought.
"That's because you didn't pay the price your child did," Regina said. She gently lifted the toddler into her arms and placed a hand on his head. They both closed their eyes before she opened them again and handed him back to Mary Margaret she apparated away and returned seconds later with a few vials.
"So, what happened?" Emma asked.
"No easy way to say this, but that powder is very sensitive you only needed a little bit for your aims, but because David heaped in so much, he will continue to grow until the magic wears off. When that will be I cannot say, because he was so small at the time and the helping of magic so big, it could be when his lifespan is over." Mary Margaret looked horrified. "And this might be a shock to you, but you were fated to have a girl. This body will not match how she feels over time."
"No, we have a son," Mary Margaret told her.
"You were meant to have another daughter, but Gold only changed her outsides, which was fairly easy to manipulate DNA magically in such early stages."
"Can you stop this or not?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Yes, but I can't reverse it, she will be a toddler now and start to grow normally if you give her this potion here. And this second potion will help her body match her insides."
"And the third potion?" Mary Margaret asked.
"This one is for you, you will likely start feeling the effects of the aging powder soon. I can already see wrinkles." Mary Margaret gasped and took the potion when Emma nodded that it was okay. She gave the first potion to her child, but not the second.
"We were meant to have a boy, and I can't help but think turning him into a girl will mess him up for real." Regina sighed.
"Go back to Gold and ask him, but for now you have a toddler, who won't be aging to their death by the end of the week," Regina told her.
"Thank you," Mary Margaret ground out after a glare from Emma. Once she was gone, and Blue had confirmed for Charming that no harm had come to pass to either of them, he grunted out a thank you and they left.
"Emma you need to make nice with your parents," Regina informed her as soon as the door was closed.
"What, why?" Emma grumbled.
"For your sister's sake, I want her to be able to come over here to you for support. You think your life is hard imagine being forced to grow up in the wrong body. You too Henry, go place nice with the Charmings for her sake not theirs." They nodded. Emma sighed.
"You're right, I wouldn't wish that on anyone who is meant to be my family." Regina nodded as she took Darien from her.
"Good, and now I really need some bear claws before I die," Regina told her. Emma chuckled.
"I think these cravings will kill you I swear I didn't think you'd ever eat so many sweets!" Emma declared.
"Don't give me lip woman just get me a bear claw," Regina told her. "And some pickles, and some more hot sauce because I dumped the whole bottle on my fish and sandwich earlier. Please." Emma chuckled.
"Yeah, and I am taking Demi, and you are going to rest, I'm on duty now, go upstairs, if you get out of bed for any reason except the bathroom, Henry will let me know and I'll hide the hot sauce in the car."
"And they say I'm evil," Regina groused but she gave Darien back and headed up the stairs to rest.
"I'll keep an eye on her mom don't worry, no magic, and no getting out of bed," Henry saluted.
"Traitor," Regina called back down. They laughed. Emma happily grabbed her keys to the car, after the smooth drive to Boston, Regina had agreed that Darien could ride in the Aston without them switching cars. Emma had, had her own car seat installed so they didn't have to keep switching.
"Looks like I'm going to be getting a second one installed soon, huh kid?" Emma asked Demi as she secured her in the seat. She got in front and drove off heading first to Granny's for a dozen bear claws. They were out, but Ruby said she'd get twelve from tomorrow's batch already baked for her return from the store.
"You're a lifesaver Ruby," Emma told her.
"Now you leave Demi with me and go to the store," Ruby chuckled.
"No way, Regina didn't agree that it was safe, and I promised to never let the princess out of my sight when she expects her to be with me. Anything could happen, and I refuse to try to explain why I was not at the diner helping you protect her." Ruby laughed.
"To be honest I'd already start preparing my own hind even if she made it through safe, I wouldn't wanna face Regina after the fact." Emma nodded.
"Yeah and she's twice as scary now then when it was just Henry and now a new baby, I refuse to make trouble," Emma joked.
"I knew it she does have you under some sort of spell!" David declared. "She's hurting you."
"What?" Emma asked turning. Darien immediately started crying.
"She's using this spawn to control you isn't she, it's not even real," David said as he pulled out his sword. "Don't worry Emma I will protect you."
"Are you insane put that sword away!" Emma yelled as she quickly stepped back tightening her hold on Darien.
"David what is wrong with you, Darien is a baby nothing more," Ruby cried hopping over the counter and putting herself between the Shepherd and Emma.
"We have to save Emma, she's always holding her resulting in Emma acting weird," He told her.
"Ruby can you please take Darien in the back, so I can escort David out?" Emma asked her. It was best to remove Darien out of sight for this, plus she was liable to start throwing up fireballs soon, she was getting hotter, and she had been near enough to Regina a few times to know when she was really going heat radiated off her before the fireball actually appeared.
"Yes, as soon as he lowers the sword."
"Lower the sword and I will go with you," Emma told David. He didn't know that wouldn't be farther than outside the diner. David lowered the sword eager to get her away just as she had suspected. Ruby quickly took Darien who cried more at the loss of Emma. Emma gave her a quick kiss before she indicated for David to walk out. He let her go first but followed her out she noted.
"Come on Emma let's return to the loft we'll call Blue and remove any residual magic on you." Emma huffed.
"No, the last thing I want is you getting someone to use magic on me after what you did to my sister," Emma told him.
"You have a brother Emma, see you can't even remember you have a brother." Emma rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, if you think so, but regardless this isn't why we are out here David. You just pulled a fucking sword on a baby!"
"She's not a baby she's a vessel to do Regina's will, she came to fast and suddenly how do we even know she was actually pregnant?"
"I could say the same for my so-called brother," Emma snapped. "I never saw Mary Margaret pregnant."
"Emma how can you say that of course your mother was pregnant with Leo, I saw it myself." Emma glared.
"Well than the same can be said for Regina, I was there from start to finish and I promise you I am damn sure of how Darien entered this world."
"But not who the father is, I bet it's Gold, only the Evil Queen would breed with the dark one, I swear we don't know the implications not to mention she's unmarried, and already on child number two without a marriage." Emma's hands clenched into fists.
"Is that what you think of me that I'm some whore who bred with the Dark One?" Emma asked. "Because if you haven't forgotten, Neal is Gold's son, and we are not married."
"No, of course not Emma, Neal is not his father he has proven that, and he will come back and marry you soon, he couldn't make things right because of the curse, but now you two can and all will be well."
"David give me your sword, as Sheriff I am extremely uncomfortable with you walking around with a large weapon when you have proven to me more than once that you are willing to pull it on innocent people and babies without cause. And if I see you with any other weapon without a permit I will arrest you. If I see you near Darien before I've assessed that you have finally calmed down I will arrest you. If I see you near Regina before that time as well I will arrest you. Do I make myself very clear?"
"Emma!" David exclaimed. "You cannot take a King's sword away."
"Hmm…I beg to differ, but thankfully I'm just taking a sword away from a Shepherd playing in a role way above his station," Emma replied in a very Regina like manner that it scared David as Emma took his sword from him easily in his shock.
"Emma?" Regina asked appearing in her pajama pants and Emma's hoodie, as well as a pair of new sneakers she had purchased that apparently now belonged to her girlfriend as well. Henry was right beside her frowning, they had obviously caught the end of the latest fight.
"Hey what are you doing out of bed?" Emma asked going to her immediately careful to keep the sword away from her.
"I didn't feel right something is wrong with Darien and you. Is she hurt?" Regina asked concerned although she was eying an outraged David wearily.
"No, no she's fine if not upset I left her with Ruby, come on let's get you off your feet, I think maybe your bear claws are ready." Emma led her in with Henry without another glance at David though she did pause.
"You can tell mom I will have lunch with her the day after tomorrow here at Granny's with my sibling. You however better not be in attendance," Emma told him. She had called Mary Margaret mom on purpose, he wouldn't dare not tell her she had referred to her as mom. Once inside a waitress took David's food order out and took payment only because Mary Margaret had called practically in tears asking if David was on the way back. Ruby came forward with Darien who immediately went to Henry, she had pushed Emma away, and bypassed Regina all together.
"Little shit," Emma muttered at Henry's huge grin at them as he went about comforting his sister.
"Indeed," Regina replied glaring at her son. Emma carefully put the sword behind the counter with a nod from Ruby.
"Regina you sit I got a dozen bear claws with your name on it." Regina grinned seeing now that her family was not wounded or ill and well on their way to their emotions leveling out to her relief because between Emma and Darien she felt like her heart was in a vice grip. Emma led Regina to their familiar booth, but she had to sit a little sideways to accommodate her belly.
"How is my little apple?" Emma asked.
"I think she's bigger than an apple by now," Regina grumped. "And they're doing just fine, and taking everything out of me in the process, I couldn't apparate here, I had to drive, or I would have been here sooner." Emma sat down with a frown.
"Because it's taking your magic or what?" Emma asked.
"Just exhausted, much like I was after Demi was born, I think it's temporary I just need to rest," Regina told her. "And eat again." She followed a passing plate of fish.
"Maybe we need to slow down on the fish, you've already had it more times than is recommended in a week for a pregnant woman."
"I can't help it I just love it smoked right now, smothered in hot sauce," Regina groaned. She swallowed hard and looked at Emma.
"Emma, I don't wanna be a little piggy here," Regina told her. Emma chuckled.
"You are not a little piggy, you are simply pregnant, how about this we leave Henry and Demi here with Ruby to collect the food and you and I go get your pickles and hot sauce before the store closes. That way you won't lose your shit on the bear claws while she makes your fish. Or do you think you can handle some chicken in it's place."
"Both I need both," Regina eventually determined as another plate went by. Emma chuckled. "And French fries loads of French fries with salt."
"Ruby can I get a smoked fish pickled salad that Regina likes and your pan chicken with French fries to go with that order of bear claws." Ruby nodded from the counter. "Family size basket of French fries. It's for take away."
"And hot chocolate with cinnamon," Henry piped up with a grin at his parents. They nodded for Ruby to include the hot chocolate. Emma informed Ruby that her and Regina would run the errand, while Henry and Demi stayed. Ruby had promptly taken Darien back from Henry but she quelled him with extra whipped cream. Regina moved her hand to support her lower back.
"Did the baby grow again while I was out?" Emma asked. Regina nodded with a sigh.
"In weight only, this pregnancy is different, with Darien, I had no idea she was ever there or how long she was there. And this one I have no idea how long they were there before they hit the three-month mark, but I suspect it can't have been long. Earlier when you felt me doing magic I was seeing if I could trace their origins."
"Could you?" Emma asked. Regina shook her head.
"No, whatever magic spark got them started has long since dissipated to levels I cannot detect if because of my state or I am not as powerful as I thought I couldn't say. But I'm not willing to go to Gold on this one. The baby is using its own power and perhaps some of mine to grow this fast. However, I asked them to slow down, and at best they put on some weight and my feet keep swelling so sorry I took your sneakers, but my shoes didn't fit."
"Poor baby," Emma said snaking an arm around Regina and kissing her forehead as they walked.
"Yeah, poor baby indeed, I don't even know what to say to Henry, there are so many changes, and I swear to every world's Gods I will lose it if I fall pregnant a third time before we figure this out."
"Oh no, I am putting you under lock and key magically and figuratively. And I will figure out what the hell is going on," Emma told her. Regina nodded.
"And poor Darien, she's barely six months, and I think this baby will be here very soon no matter what I think. My attention will have to shift. It's one thing with Henry he can entertain and take care of himself and understands that I will make time for him. Darien very much still needs me and is nursing, and we are trying to help her acquire more than one language. She has to navigate this world in a different way from us and her magic is getting stronger. And what about this baby what if they have hearing problems too or something else is wrong because they're growing so fast there's no way I can give them everything they need for everything to develop as it should as much as they're making me eat my weight in food daily I just feel like it will not be enough. And what if we find out I was raped?" At this point Regina had stopped walking and started crying a lot. Emma didn't know what to do except immediately pull her into a hug and rub her back. Regina's shoulders shook from her sobs and as she wrapped her arms around Emma. With anyone else she would have run home, forgotten about her errands and bear claws, but with Emma it felt safe and the thought of not hugging her tightly was more than Regina could bear in that moment.
"Regina, no matter what we're a family and we'll stick together, and we'll take whatever comes. And if…if God forbid it's the worse case scenario and you were violated, I will bring that person to justice. In the mean time Darien is happy, healthy, and beautiful and so will this baby I promise you that. It didn't matter before how Darien got here, and it doesn't matter now, it doesn't effect our love for her." Regina eventually calmed down after squeezing Emma tight. They just made it to the store and got what they needed plus a jar of peanut butter.
"So, what happened with David?" Regina asked as they walked back slowly. Emma sighed.
"Ruby wanted me to leave Demi with her while I hit up the store, but I jokingly told her no that you were twice as scary now as you were when it was just Henry you were protective of and that you'd probably kill me if I just left her when you expect her to be with me. David came in and heard and started going off about Demi not being a real baby and her being a means for you to control me." Emma shook her head. "It was a hot mess, he pulled his sword, Ruby hopped over the counter and I moved away. And then I realized that he couldn't keep that damn sword anymore and that I needed to get Demi away before the fireballs started. So, I had Ruby take her in back and told him I'd go with him."
"He pulled a sword on a six-month-old infant?" Regina asked furious and incredulous. "I never thought I'd see the day there was someone I hated more than Snow White, and it is her Shepherd. Mary Margaret is a lot of talk, but his pig headedness often results in violence."
"I know, that's why I had to get the sword off him. He wanted to get Blue to use magic on me to undo your spell before he accused you of having sex with Gold to create Darien. Or Darien not being a real baby and that who could say that you had actually been pregnant as it was so sudden. I pointed out that the same could be said for Mary Margaret and he just replied that it wasn't possible he was there to see the birth." Regina snorted.
"I hope you assured him that you saw Darien force her way out of my vagina, and I most certainly felt it. She's real." Emma nodded though as inwardly she chuckled at how Regina remembered it as Darien forcing her way out, when she was pretty sure Regina was the one that had to do the forcing.
"I did, and I don't know how much of the end you got, but he told me I couldn't take a King's sword." Regina scoffed.
"Yes, if I hadn't been so worried, I would have clapped at your excellent study of my insulting skills, I could not have said it better."
"Why thank you for the compliment Madam Mayor," Emma grinned.
"Don't get too full of yourself Ms. Swan, one successful insult does not the master make." They laughed together as Regina leaned more into Emma needing the contact.
"But you were feeling a lot of rage, like a lot it flared in between. He must have said something else to get you to insult him like that." Emma sighed.
"He basically called you a whore and said what kind of woman has not one but two kids out of wedlock after he accused you of sleeping around with Gold. And I don't know I just lost it inside, and I asked him if that's what he thought of me that I had slept with the dark one and given birth a child out of marriage, that I was no different from his assessment of you. And then he goes no, that it was your fault that Neal who proved himself and is not the same as his father, only had to leave me because of your curse, and that now he could come back and be with me and get married and we'd have babies. It was awful." Regina made a face.
"So many things wrong with that sentence, but if a child is not their parent, why is Darien met with a sword to the face at six months old and Neal without any suspicion?"
"Because Darien can't prove her worth, that's all and she shouldn't have too," Emma frowned.
"No, she doesn't," Regina frowned. "Maybe I should move, let her grow up in the world outside away from the stigma of having the Evil Queen as a mother." Emma frowned.
"Maybe, but I don't think that's a decision we need to make right now when emotions are high. Most of the town respects you, you saw how fast they voted for you. I don't think you'll have many problems anymore except for Spencer because he'll never change, and I really hope that once my parents settle down and realize that you aren't doing anything bad and accept that they were shit rulers they will at least be civil. I think you're right in saying I may have to make nice, the more I get angry the more convinced they become that I am under a spell. I think I can slowly change Mary Margaret to at least keeping her mouth shut and being civil. I don't know about David, he's been quick to weaponize from jump. That was fine when we had a common enemy, but not when it's against my kid."
"Okay I won't make that decision yet until this baby is at least six months old. We really are going to need Granny and Ruby. Tomorrow I should probably commission a new crib and shift Darien's room around to hold both.
"What no, I got ideas for a new nursery, I am thinking of going Harry Potter themed. I wanted to do that with Henry and now I have the baby and the money."
"But Darien likes her nursery as it is," Regina pointed out.
"I know, I was hoping that maybe I could just you know move all my stuff into your room." Regina gave her a big smile and a kiss on the lips in answer. Emma blushed it was their first public kiss that confirmed their romantic relationship. "I'll take that as a definitely." Regina nodded. They went back to the diner, and Emma went into pay.
"I'll drive home and leave my car at the station so it's already there tomorrow morning before work, I don't want you driving when you feel so tired." Regina nodded too tired and concerned with her bear claws to argue. Once her family was in the car, she quickly took the Aston over to the Sheriff's station, and then jogged back to the Mercedes and drove them home. Once home Regina proceeded to eat all the food, barely sharing the French Fries with even Demi who was highly interested.
"I thought she had to eat mush," Henry pointed out.
"No, as long as we're careful and watch her we don't have to turn anything to mush. She just happens to have been previous loving mashed bananas or mashed sweet potatoes at lunch from Granny's," Regina told him. Henry nodded.
"Good, and oh look I got her face trying whipped cream for the first time."
"Henry that was a family moment," Emma cried. "You suck." Henry chuckled.
"Oh my God finally I feel full," Regina sighed. Her stomach grew again, and she moaned as even Emma's hoodie was now tighter on her. Emma had to eventually help her out of it and find a new big shirt Regina had hidden that was usually bigger than her on purpose. Regina was just grateful her nursing bras still fit and her underwear for the moment. To their surprise Darien complained if Henry tried to leave her and so they were now co-sleeping in his bed. Well he was reading wonder woman comics to her last they had checked. Emma sat down on the edge of the bed and rubbed Regina's swollen ankles.
"Maybe you should work from home tomorrow," Emma commented.
"No, I can't there's so much work that needs to be done, why couldn't she hold it together just long enough for me to give birth, then it wouldn't be so bad," Regina complained. "She had to really set everything on fire in the three days we left town."
"I don't think it was just the three days Reggie," Emma chuckled.
"May as well been, you saw how desperate they were through her speech, they weren't even listening they were just at the booth, I don't even think they needed the speeches." Emma chuckled again as she finished up and propped up Regina's feet with a pillow before settling the blanket on her before she crawled up beside her and cuddled. Her hand resting Regina's belly as she rubbed it. Regina was absolutely gorgeous pregnant, her only regret was it wasn't her kid, she wished it was her kid. At least then it would mean Regina hadn't been hurt by some unknown force. And yet somehow, she still felt nothing but love towards this baby and Darien. Something in her just wouldn't let her associate either kid with such a vile act and for that she was grateful. She hoped Regina would feel that way too, Darien was everything she ever wanted just as much as Henry and so would this baby, and she wanted nothing to stand in the way of Regina's happiness. Regina had so much unconditional love to give to their children, unlike people like her own parents who seemed to be no better than any foster parent she ever had. Emma was about to talk some more about her feelings about David in particular, when she noticed that her belly rubbing had cause Regina to finally fall asleep. She couldn't help but smirk.
"Even with your mouth open and drooling you still seem to sleep like an utter Queen what the hell," Emma murmured as she chuckled to herself. "Woman makes drooling look refined." Emma soon followed in sleep herself.
Leave a Review.