Author's Note: I know, I know it's been so long since I have updated, and I felt terrible so i got this chapter out, but I'm super busy and I apologize now for not delivering more in this chapter. Hopefully though in Chapter Seventeen I get back on track with this story. I hope you Enjoy!

Chapter Sixteen

New York – Comic Con

"Hey Emma, sorry to come over so late I just got back from seeing your mother," David said as she let him.

"It's fine we were up," Emma said as she readjusted a tired Darien on her hip.

"Rough night?" David asked hearing Xavieré and Lincoln crying.

"Yes, very when she said they would be like little monsters I had no idea, Darien was sleeping through the night by now. And now Xav thinks she wants to nurse, but she's a monster the entire time about it. Now Lincoln is crying because she's crying it's a mess," Emma said leading him into the kitchen. She put on some tea, mostly for Regina more than her and David.

"At least Rowan's not still screaming his…I mean her head off," David said correcting himself.

"That girl sleeps like the dead, like I used to sleep, but also apparently still sleep according to Regina," Emma laughed. "Anyway, stay here I'm just going to put Darien down in her own bed so she can sleep." He laughed a little too.

"I'll sit in the living room, better on my back," He said. Emma nodded. David went into the living room and just sat staring at their most pretentious picture to date in front of Regina's Bentley. They looked like the most perfect family in it like in movies, just the way Emma wanted. All their real pictures, showing them laughing and covered in food one time because Darien's magic went a little wild those were lining the walls going up the stairs or in the Den. Those were the ones Emma cherished the most even if the pretentious one was just for a laugh. David was surprised that Rowan was included in the photo, he thought for sure Regina wouldn't want Rowan in such a perfect family photo and he supposed that for Emma she had probably allowed it. Not knowing that Regina had simply picked out an outfit for her as well.

"Come on baby girl, time to sleep in your crib." Darien breathed softly against her neck. She gently put her down and kissed her forehead. She didn't bother with a blanket as she was in her sleep sack. She did give her, her pacifier though. She took the baby monitor with her and closed the door gently. She went back to her bedroom and immediately lifted up Lincoln.

"Shs baby girl, your sister is just fine, she's just frustrated, she can't feed as good as you," Emma told her.

"Who was at the door so late?" Regina asked. "Where's Darien?"

"In her own bed for now, and Dad was at the door, he's downstairs now, and wants to talk to us about Mary Margaret I guess, and I should probably tell him about Rowan." Regina nodded as she stood up with Xavieré who protested, but she hadn't latched on yet anyway.

"Calm down we're just going downstairs you haven't even latched on yet," Regina told her. Honestly the seconds it would take to get downstairs were so needed for her nipple, she might try switching sides on her just to give that side a break. They went downstairs and under Regina's watchful eye, David actually took Lincoln for once he bounced her a little and because she wasn't used to him, she actually stopped crying. He was less tense around them then he was with Darien.

"Here you go babe," Emma said putting her tea down in front of her.

"Thank you," Regina replied as she got Xavieré situated. David looked away and focused on trying to get Lincoln to smile.

"Oh finally," Regina said as she felt Xavieré get a good latch on her boob. She gave a sigh of relief as she sat back and Emma handed her, her tea once she had Lincoln back in her own arms.

"All right so what happened with Mary Margaret is she doing better?" Emma asked. David was looking at his own tea now.

"She seems to have to have accepted that her and I are in fact true loves, she was always a little more accepting of me about Rowan being a girl than me now that she seems herself again. Archie said that making amends and being slowly reintroduced to her family is going to be key now."

"So, you want Rowan to visit her there?" Regina asked. "I'd rather she did not have that memory."

"Regina you can't keep Rowan from us forever," He said.

"I'm not trying too, she's happy here, you weren't treating her well before. She will not go home with just you until she's good and ready, and she will not live with Snow until she's proved she's not a danger not only to herself but her family. I know you love her, but your children come first. Do you understand that I was scared for your grandchildren's lives, or what that meant for Rowan mostly if she got her way? Rowan's already had rough start, and she just doesn't need anything more unpleasant to happen that can be prevented."

"Regina's more than right, I propose that if we are going to have a meeting between the two that one, we ask Rowan if she wants that, and two Snow will be escorted to the park perhaps, and you may escort Rowan from here to the park."

"Emma won't you come as well?" David asked frowning. Emma shook her head.

"No, not until Regina receives a sincere apology for the pain she caused. Regina had just given birth, she should have been resting, not fearing for the lives of our children. She was so scared she thought Blue had possessed Snow, so she had time to get to Darien." David sighed.

"That's the most unfortunate part, I had hoped she was possessed as well," he murmured.

"I think we all did David at least then we could make sense of her crazy, but for once I honestly think even the Blue gnat is reeling from Snow's behavior," Regina told him.

"All right, then I hope she will be ready, I miss Henry's visits, and I know I got off to a rocky start with Darien, but knowing she is mine too, my first granddaughter, I feel terrible for the way that I treated her and I want to do better by her. You were right, she was always just a baby regardless of who her parents are. And I want to get to know Xavieré and Lincoln as well."

"I think that would be nice, and maybe we can start slow with visits to the park," Regina said, she didn't want her children caught in their feud, it was hard enough for Henry, and there was also Rowan to think about as well.

"Thank you," He said.

"Um…we have something to tell you," Emma said.

"Are you pregnant this time?" David asked wide eyed. Emma looked wide eyed as well.

"Absolutely not," Emma cried. "No, no it's about Rowan, well all us." David nodded. "We're going out of town in two days for Comic Con in New York, so we can spend time with Henry doing something he likes. Kathryn is going to take the girls seeing as we still don't trust Blue. However, Rowan…"

"Can stay with me if you don't want to take her, I'm sure it must be hard looking after a kid not your own."

"No, not at all, she fits so perfectly with us," Regina told him. "We just wanted you to know where Rowan will be because she won't stay with you for three days, and we don't want her popping home to an empty house. She won't understand."

"Oh," he said looking deeper into his cup.

"Yeah, I'm sorry it's short notice, it's just we were trying to keep the secret from Henry and didn't know how angry you would be." He let out a long breath.

"As much as I want it, I know she won't stay with me when you aren't nearby Emma, I am not as stupid as Regina thinks." Regina bit back a retort about him still being stupid though she was trying to do better after all.

"Okay good, I promise Kathryn will have her call every morning and every night before bed if you wish. But this is so important for Henry and us to have that free time, and he deserved something big for adjusting to becoming a big brother not once but twice unexpectedly." David nodded.

"All right, I would like that, the calls." They nodded.

"Good," They said. After awhile he took his leave and they put the girls to bed in their own room after Regina took them to the bathroom. She set an alarm though to take them in the middle of the night.

"Ooh kid free snuggles," Emma grinned.

"You're cute, but you need to stay on your side of the bed tonight, I want to sleep with nothing on me while I can," Regina told her. Emma pouted but Regina gave her ten minutes before she sank down in her pillows and fell asleep easily. Two minutes later she sighed as Lincoln started crying.

"I'll go baby," Emma murmured patting her. Regina nodded as she touched her hand back. Emma was gone for ten minutes before she returned and crawled into bed. She was barely down when the door opened and Rowan hurried in. Regina silently hoped she went to Emma, but before she knew it Rowan's little presence was in front of her.

"Reggie," she tried to whisper but it was loud.

"Yes sweetheart?" Regina asked as she opened her eyes. Rowan looked upset as she hugged a stuffed unicorn.

"I had a bads dream," Rowan said.

"Oh no, do you wanna talk about it?" Regina asked. Rowan shook her head.

"Can I sleeps with you and Emma?" Rowan asked. Regina nodded. Rowan gave her a big smile and crawled into bed between her and Emma. "Reggie cans you rub my back so the bads go away?"

"Of course, darling," Regina said as she turned over out of her very comfortable spot and Rowan laid down and snuggled up to her as close as humanly possible. Regina had hoped she would snuggle up to Emma. She rubbed her back and hummed a little song. She closed her eyes to sleep again. She was grateful when she was just able to sleep even if it wasn't without another body pressed up against her own. And it was a nice hour, before Xavieré was screaming for food.

"I don't know what to do, she won't take a bottle how is she supposed to stay with Kathryn?" Regina asked Emma as she bent her knees and bounced Xavieré who would scream otherwise. Emma just shrugged.

"Maybe we can keep her, and just take turns going off with Henry while the other wanders with her so he at least has all the attention on him?" Emma asked.

"That is unfair to him, and pack that toy for Darien, she will miss it." Emma nodded.

"Moms it's okay, if it's a problem," Henry said coming into the room. "We don't have to go."

"Oh, honey no, no we promised you, we are going, our concern is just making sure that you can get one on one time with us," Regina explained.

"Then do Ma's suggestion," Henry replied. "I won't mind if you have to take turns."

"You are such a sweet and beautiful boy," Regina told him. He smiled at her before going to finish packing.

"You think the kid is going to like the surprise costume changes?" Emma asked in their room.

"He's going to have too, with little miss here, I cannot afford to go around in the skimpy outfit like I wanted, I will be leaking at the first cry. Besides he's going to love it believe me and to be honest it fits your personality more, this suits me too, but a little crazy never hurt anyone." Emma laughed. Soon they had the car all packed up, David came around to say goodbye. Soon they were driving off with Kathryn, they would give her use of the car and pick up one car from Regina's stock that she hadn't sold for their own use. The drive was a long one with Xavieré being fussy, but they made it to their relief and checked in.

"Uh oh I don't know this grunting is Lincoln pooping?" Kathryn asked the next day as they were getting ready. Regina frowned and came over. Lincoln was grunting and Xavieré started doing identical grunting then looking confused.

"I think they just realized they don't have magic and they are two separate people for now," Regina told her. "It's the only thing I can think of." Kathryn nodded.

"Perfect," she said as they both started wailing. Regina sighed as she simply took Xavieré to get dressed in her Katana costume that Henry had insisted on last minute. Well Regina was prepared for Xavieré and Lincoln putting up a stink at being separated.

"Oh my God mom this is so awesome!" Henry yelled coming in from the second room wearing his killer crock mask which fit him like a glove, her work was impeccable really. She grinned.

"Very nice Henry," They said.

"Hen, Hen, up!" Darien exclaimed. He lifted her up and did a fake growl as he tickled her. He had worn the tester to get her used to it, so she wasn't afraid of it. Rowan shied away a bit from where she had been playing with Darien. She still wasn't sure it didn't make Henry and entirely different person, but soon she was giggling with Darien as he chased them around.

"Mom what are you wearing that's not how Harley Quinn looks," Henry said.

"No, I had to change because of Xavieré, or I'd leak and ruin the costume," Regina told him frowning. "I am Maria Rambeau from Captain Marvel."

"Yeah, but she's black, you didn't even color your skin," He said frowning.

"Henry, skin color is of little importance and I admire her Character, she is a strong independent woman. Besides I don't need to, and I shouldn't darken my skin. If people can't tell I am Maria, then my costume isn't good enough."

"But why wouldn't you darken your skin?" He asked unsure.

"Well because this country has a history of white people darkening their skin with shoe polish and turning black people into jokes with it and making a mockery of them. It was extremely racist, and I don't want to continue that trend, just because I don't look like Maria doesn't mean that no one will recognize me if I am dressed the part properly."

"Also, when she's standing next to me how could they not know," Emma said coming out of the bathroom in her Captain Marvel suit."

"Oh My God MOM you outdid yourself truly!" Henry yelled as he circled Emma. "This is perfect! You guys are the best combination, Captain Marvel shouldn't be without her best friend!" They grinned at him. Soon they were ready to go, and Regina wasn't surprised when Lincoln and Xavieré were not having it at being separated from one another, clinging to the other on the bed and Emma didn't have the heart to pull them apart and Regina didn't try. So, they tried to see if she would stay and go with just Henry. That led to screaming from Darien who had just realized what was going on and both girls."

"It's okay moms, you gave it your best effort," Henry said.

"Maybe next year we can come back, when they're older and drop them off at a playground or something," Emma sighed. They nodded, having no doubt that comic con would be fun and maybe a return trip would be in order. Regina changed Rowan into Valkyrie from Thor, Lincoln into a Dora Milaje, because she was still bald. And of course, Darien was monster T and she giggled through them putting make up on her face to simulate the tattoos. She loved growling at anyone from Henry's shoulders when they eventually made it in to comic con with Kathryn pushing the stroller containing the girls who were now napping. Everyone loved their costumes especially Lincoln's when she eventually woke up and walked on unsteady legs with both fists gripping tightly to one of Emma's fingers on either hand. Henry naturally won the costume contest although Emma and Regina came second as a pair. There was a child under five one and it was just a clean sweep with all their children. Darien being number one for cutely throwing confetti in the color of fire just like Henry instructed. It was a great first day, but each day got a little worse with the children, until the last day Kathryn often took the girls for a walk outside except for Darien and Rowan

"Henry and I are going to go sit through a Batman Panel," Emma told her.

"Great, I hate batman, the girls and I will be at the bouncy house if you need us," Regina said giving them both a kiss before leading the girls away. They had been little nightmares yesterday running off, when the other girls were constantly crying. At no point did Emma or Regina not have a child in their arms. Outside in the sun the girls ran freely, well Darien went straight for the bounce house.

"Reggie can we get ice cream," Rowan asked grinning with excitement. She pointed to a man in the corner with a small push cart that obviously housed frozen treats. He didn't look official, but he did have a comic con pass. She nodded and once she had Darien on her hip they walked over.

"Hi, are you selling ice cream?" Regina asked just to be sure it wasn't a man with a costume.

"I am," he said, he had a Mexican accent and Regina immediately switched to Spanish. They smiled at one another and spoke before he told her that he didn't have normal ice cream but paletas.

"What are Paletas?" Regina asked curiously. He looked at her surprised.

"You've never had a paleta?" He asked. She shook her head no.

"No, I live in Maine normally, I have never seen or heard of a paleta."

"Oh my God, these are on the house, a paleta is a frozen Mexican treat made with real ingredients. Classic combinations include Strawberry Cream, Cream Triptych which comes in Oreo, Strawberry Kiwi, or Pink Pine nut. Then of course there is watermelon, Jamaica which is hibiscus flower, guayaba, cajeta, Rompope, and cucumber. But my personal favorites are Mango Chile Lime and Tamarind Chile."

"You should have started with the ones with Chile. So, she will have an Oreo one. And she will have the Mango Chile Lime, but I would like the Tamarind Chile please." He nodded and gave them what they asked for. Regina almost had to sit down at how delicious it was. Rowan ran off with her ice cream back to the children she was playing with. Regina paid the man even though he insisted it was a gift, but she said no, because he had just changed her life. They argued before they agreed the money would be given to the first person he met in need. Once Darien was finished and clean, she let her go back, but she stayed and talked to the man and also finished off Darien's mango Chile lime, and it was just as good. They spoke more about paletas and how they were made.

"Regina!" Emma called. Regina waved her over and she paid for two more paletas.

"Try this," Regina said giving Emma the Oreo, but giving Henry the strawberry kiwi combination.

"Oh, this is really good," Emma said.

"All fresh ingredients and no added sugar, can you believe it?" Regina asked her. "Well the Oreos don't count, but a paleta flavor is only limited by your imagination."

"Fair point, but I do like that Henry's got real fruit in his pa…pa lay ta?"

"Paleta," The guy, Henry, and Regina corrected. Emma looked sheepish. Once their treats were finished Regina went off with Henry after a kiss to Darien who was as always excited to see Emma, Regina tried not to be jealous but she did have to admit that Darien was her little Shadow so it should be only natural that when Emma was gone, she missed her more. Regina and Henry went around testing some virtual reality games that involved shooting, she had the higher score, but she let her son win in the end.

"Ha I beat you!" Henry exclaimed when they were free of their constraints.

"Don't look so excited dork, she let you win," some kid said.

"Hey that's my kid you're talking too, the only dork we see around here is you," She told him narrowing her eyes. "Now run along to your mother, she should have left you unsupervised."

"I'm too old to go to comic con with my mother unlike your little baby." Henry looked embarrassed.

"Oh, you mean you're too old for your mother to give a shit enough to spend time with you," Regina told him. He frowned. "You're not going to make my child feel bad because we enjoy some of the same activities. He is more than old enough and responsible enough to attend comic con by himself without harassing anyone, I chose to accompany him because I enjoy his company and conventions." Regina left him in tears as she turned and walked away with Henry saying maybe she was a little too hard on him.

"Maybe, but no one is going to talk to my little prince like that, if you see that kid again and he messes with you, you punch him right in the nose like I know Emma taught you." Henry hid a grin.

"Ma would never…" Henry started. She raised an eyebrow at him, and he fell silent.

"Anyway, go explore by yourself instead of whining at me that you're a baby anymore and you don't need me to protect you from jerk teenage boys. I'm going to get Emma and start buying our souvenirs. You can get your own as well." Henry gave her the biggest smile and kissed her cheek before he ran off to an Iron Man exhibit, he had already sat through twice. Regina made her back to Emma.

"Where's Henry?" Emma asked as she finished spinning Rowan who was giggling hard as she wobbled all over the place.

"I sent him off alone to enjoy himself, he deserves it." Emma nodded as Darien ran over to her.

"How much you want to bet that when she gets home, she's going to pretend like she can't run or walk by herself?"

"I would stake all my money on that fact," Regina told her as she happily lifted Darien up.

"How Demi, did you have fun with Mama." She nodded and signed for food. They went inside and Rowan eagerly followed when Emma mentioned a corn dog. They ate something before it was time to get all the souvenirs they had been looking at. Regina left briefly to feed the girls with Xavieré taking the longest, before she returned, and they hit up one last Avenger's panel and photoshoot before that was the end of comic con to Henry's sadness.

For dinner though Emma was able to bribe Darien and Rowan with Chocolate, and the girls were for whatever reason finally loving Kathryn enough to be away from them so she took her Fiancé and son out for some bonding time taking them on a high line night tour and dinner at a place that made Regina skeptical until she heard Spanish in the kitchen and could see them spicing the food just the way she liked.

"I need to get back to New York and soon, this is only the beginning in my food tour," Regina told her.

"Maybe we should learn about the Spanish speaking culture in this world, I mean you just discover palaytas."

"Paletas!" Henry and Regina corrected, but Regina hummed her agreement.

"Yeah, yeah you understood me," Emma huffed.

"Maybe so, but I'm getting more papusas, and I need to learn how to make these at home asap," Regina told her as she went to go order another variety with Henry right behind as he ate the last of the ones he already had.

"I'm pretty sure Demi gets her stomach from the both of us," Emma laughed when Regina had come back. Regina looked mocked shocked.

"Perish the thought, I have the dainty appetite of a Queen," Regina told her nose in the air on purpose. Emma just laughed.

"More like a voracious one," Emma chuckled, and Henry laughed as well. Regina stuck her tongue out at them both but dug into her meal all the same.

"I'm feeding three babies leave me alone I need to eat so that they can eat," Regina huffed.

"Yeah, all right but what excuse will you have when they stop breast feeding?" Emma asked.

"Well obviously fake baby will be contributing more to my appetite then," Regina told her. They all laughed. Even though the middle of the trip was rough, they were all glad that they could have this time together and enjoy one another.

"Thanks for the trip moms even if the babies weren't completely gone, I wouldn't change Demi growling at people from my shoulders and winning the contest for anything," Henry told them. "Those are priceless big brother moments that I couldn't trade." They were both all tears glad that he had enjoyed his trip even though they had planned on him getting most of their attention and not the other way around.

"I think we are all finding it impossible to get our attention off of them," Regina told them.

"They take a lot of it, but it's okay Darien takes a little less now and we can play more, so I know the girls will still take a lot before I can at least do more than cuddle them too. But still keep your promise about next year I had so much fun!" They chuckled.

"Definitely, and next year I wanna go as Valkyrie, they're shipping her and Captain Marvel all over twitter and tumbler so it's perfect."

"A blond and a brunette," Henry said nodding. They chuckled before they finished their meal and went on a walk around New York together.

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