Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait and the short chapter, but I like to think it was very focused. Just a heads up we have two chapters left to go, sadly we're coming to an end on this.

Chapter Seventeen

I wanna be a Mills

"Emma please your mother keeps asking about you," David said. They were two months into Snow's escorted visits to the park to see Rowan. Rowan had agreed to it so she could go to the park. When they spied Rowan was always playing and Snow was sitting with David and not necessarily talking to him.

"I don't care, I don't wanna see her," Emma said as they were at the station. Well Emma was working, and David had come to ask about getting his job back and she had told him no that not only was his health a concern, but he had abused his power.

"Emma, you have to forgive her at some point," David pointed out.

"I really honestly don't have to do a goddamn thing David," Emma told him. She sat forward in her chair. "Let me be clear when she is ready to apologize to Regina we'll sit, and we'll listen because it is what is owed. But to be quite frank Regina doesn't want her anywhere near our children and I can't blame her. The only reason you, yourself are even allowed near Henry is because he is old enough to decide to spend quality time with you without getting hurt by your previous bullshit anymore."

"Emma, don't say it like that I told you I want to do better." Emma shrugged.

"And that is great, but we're not going to force ourselves around you particularly Snow at this point. I honestly thought you pulling a sword on Demi was the worst, but Snow absolutely topped you somehow. While I'm sure you wouldn't have stabbed Demi, the only point in your favor but hauled an infant off to jail or sent her over the town line. I am pretty sure that Snow would have smothered them in their sleep if necessary, to get to Regina in her weird craze. So, you can choose to still be around her that's fine, but my children, fiancé, and I will not." David sighed.

"You're still angry and that's okay, I really think we need family counseling. You need to speak with Snow one day." He turned and left as Emma rolled her eyes. She was about to go get a cup of coffee when Three puffs of magic appeared on the desk in front of her. Demi was sitting next to her sisters naked as the day they were born and laughing.

"Girls, did you run from bath time again?" Emma asked her. Darien nodded.

"Play seek Mommy," Darien told her. Emma nodded just as a cloud of purple was filling the room as well. Darien giggle and clapped her hands before disappearing again with her sisters before Emma could stop them. Regina appeared looking tired and annoyed. She gave a loud sigh when she only saw Emma.

"Nice to see you too," Emma laughed.

"Not funny, did I just miss them again?" Regina asked. Emma nodded.

"Augh, I'm never going to get to work at this rate," Regina grumbled.

"Regina it's two o'clock you haven't been to work?" Emma asked.

"No, I've been chasing them since five this morning, didn't you notice we were gone?"

"Yes, but you mentioned needing to have an early day and I thought you took everyone with you, I just took care of Rowan and Henry.

"No, I was changing them all and then they were just gone. So, I got dressed quickly and popped after them. I'm so tired Emma." Emma stood up and hugged her.

"All right let's try this, we do our little true love beacon and I go there, when they see me, they run, you follow them and get ahead of them at their next destination." Regina nodded. It wasn't hard they were always sending out little true love tremors. They found their daughters with Kathryn as a text came through to Emma. Emma went to them and Regina was able to track them to the diner with Ruby, who was so disappointed that she didn't get to keep them as Granny yelled at her to get back to work.

"Got you," Regina told her daughters who all gave her big smiles as she shook her head at them and in a swirl of magic took them home and got them properly dressed after a toilet break and of course fed once Emma joined them. They got a strong talking too, but they all just fell asleep during the talk.

"Little shits," Regina grumbled under her breath even as she lovingly put them down in their rooms. Emma chuckled behind her and gave her a hug.

"I'm sorry today was so rough; I wish you had called me sooner.

"To be honest I didn't even realize the time until you said it. I've been over this entire town and now I'm exhausted."

"Aww, honey come on work can wait until tomorrow, I have the day off the girls are with me, just rest." Regina nodded as they went to their bedroom. Regina stripped with a yawn and crawled into bed. Emma lay with her on top of the blankets so she could cuddle.

"Are you off work now?" Regina asked.

"I asked Mulan to come in a bit earlier," Emma said. Regina nodded. "David visited again today, he really wants me to talk to Snow, but I don't want too."

"You don't have too, she's lucky we haven't taken legal action to get full custody of Rowan, which I remind you I really think we should." Emma nodded. "Trust me as soon as Snow gets her hooks back in David and Blue thinks she can control her again it's back to fighting I know it. Blue would definitely change Rowan back to Leopold because they still think male heirs hold more weight."

"I won't let that happen," Emma said.

"I am just saying be careful, you saw how much it took to get his head out of Snow's ass before, trust me Blue's going to make sure it's shoved right back up there even farther." Emma chuckled.

"You're so cute when you curse," Emma whispered.

"Shut up," Regina said nudging her a little. "We need to think about Rowan's first birthday party it's like the beginning of next month if I remember correctly. I should probably check the birth certificate I should probably have it reissued. Oh, you know that will be nice for her, she'll love it to be legally Rowan and female on paper. Well it will mean more later."

"Oh, that sounds like a wonderful idea actually," Emma said. "You know what she will also love is matching you. She likes to match me, but it's often an outfit with pants, but she is so in love with your dresses."

"I did see these cute little mini gladiator heels for little girls that match a pair I was eying anyway at Nordstrom's. I think I can pair it with a pink dress for her and black belt, but I have to go black dress with pink pelt. I really don't love pink like she does. Ooh and just because it's her first birthday we'll do full make up she loves it even though she can't wear it." Emma nodded.

"Now for the party theme," Emma said.

"Spa party, I can rent out space in the spa for the morning, then we come back here for food and bounce houses." Emma nodded.

"Good, I'll get Belle to take pictures of you two after the spa in your outfits, in the background of Rowan's choice. She is going to be so happy."

"What are you thinking for the girls as well?" Regina asked. "I can't believe it's been almost a year; time flew by so fast just like Darien."

"No, no we're not talking about them, their birthday is no where in sight, and God if we start talking about Darien I will cry, she's so big."

"She's huge now, she used to be so tiny and now look at her the devil incarnate," Regina said. Emma laughed.

"You're just mad she used her magic," Emma pointed out.

"Yup so excited to enter the terrible twos with magic," Regina replied her voice laced thick with sarcasm. Emma kissed her forehead and rubbed her back. "I was actually thinking Paw Patrol would be a nice theme that would fit within the holiday decorations."

"Jesus Christ fucking paw patrol, I can't wait for them to move on to something else," Emma said. Regina chuckled.

"What do you have against paw patrol?" Regina asked.

"Everything I just feel like I'm being taunted by puppies I can never have." Regina chuckled some more.

"They are not taunting you dear," Regina reminded her. Emma scoffed in disbelief. Emma wanted to say more when Darien woke up crying.

"I got her you rest." Regina nodded as she closed her eyes and groaned at the loss of Emma. She could hear her on the baby monitor talking to Darien and telling her she needed to nap a bit longer.

"No," Darien whined. She was clearly tired. Regina could just imagine she was rubbing her fists over her eyes and curls falling into her place as she shook her head. "Mami milk."

"Mami is asleep right now, how about I warm some up in your sippy cup in…" Emma started. Darien disappeared and landed just before the bed. She screamed as she broke her arm.

"Well shit," Emma said as Regina gently lifted her up carefully, she had practically jumped out of bed when she saw it happen.

"Can you heal her, can I?" Emma asked. Regina shook her head.

"Unless it's life threatening unfortunately, she needs to heal naturally being so young. My mother broke my left arm so many times it didn't heal naturally until I broke it once catching a falling Henry off a jungle gym and didn't have access to magic," Regina said. Emma cringed. "You get the girls; we'll be at the car." Emma nodded. She got the girls dressed. They took a screaming Darien to the hospital where she was given pain meds, radiograph, and finally a cast.

"Now that's a lesson learned; you can't do magic when you're tired. Mama would have brought you to me," Regina told Darien as she carried her inside. Henry was already home and with a hyper Rowan who had stayed later for a birthday party. She was talking so much about fairies though they considered changing her party until she stated that she wanted dolls.

"You mean like a barbie?" Regina asked as she started on dinner one handed. Rowan shook her head. She was dressed in fairy wings, tutu, and had glitter and chocolate around her mouth still.

"No, the really pretty ones with white skin, pretty curls, and big dresses," Rowan said.

"Oh, I know what you mean," Regina said. "Those are really hard to get, I have to shop around, okay?" Rowan nodded.

"Come here my poor baby," Henry said to Darien rushing in. Since Rowan had immediately taken Regina's attention, Emma had explained to Henry what happened. "I can't believe moms were so irresponsible." Regina glared at her son, as Darien went to him and he gave her kisses and a big hug telling her it was their fault she was hurt, they should have known she was so tired and didn't know not to use her magic after such a fun day.

"Traitor," Regina grumbled. Emma came in.

"He is, but at least the girls are back down," Emma said.

"No, wake them up, they'll be up all night I swear after the day I just had," Regina said.

"Regina, they were exhausted you know if I do there will be screaming." Regina groaned and just hoped they slept through the night because they had exhausted themselves. Rowan started chatting again and wondering when her birthday was, but they deliberately said nothing eager to surprise her. It was her first birthday, and everything had to be special.

"Here Ma," Henry said coming in and handing her Darien.

"Uh thanks…" Emma said confused before he snapped a polaroid of them both. "What the?"

"You get first injury for your carelessness," Henry told her before he took Darien back and left the kitchen again with the polaroid. Regina couldn't do anything but laugh at his actions and Emma's stunned face.

"I mean wow rude," Emma said. "That was no one's fault but her own."

"Don't take it personal he's just being her big brother, that's all," Regina said patting her back. "Now help me with these vegetables." Emma made a face but helped as Rowan danced around the kitchen talking more about her party.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They all exclaimed jolting Rowan awake. She gasped when she realized that they were all there, babies include.

"Burtday!" Darien yelled.

"Me?" Rowan asked. They all nodded. "I have a birthday?"

"You do sweetie, and it is today," Emma told her. The pure joy in her eyes was perfect as Henry got the Polaroid.

"Your first birthday picture," He told her. She gave him the biggest smile. Darien had finally stopped pretending she didn't know how to walk or run at times or use her magic to get some place, so Regina put her down to go with Emma and Henry downstairs already with the girls.

"Now it's time to get you ready for your birthday," Regina told her.

"Reggie how come you not dressed?" Rowan asked as she got into Regina's arms and noticed that she was still in her robe.

"Because we're matching silly and I didn't want to ruin your dress surprise." Rowan squealed. Belle came upstairs with her camera as Rowan got a new pink silk robe. Rowan loved every bit of camera attention as Regina did her finger nails and toes with sparkly pink nail polish. She'd already done her own last night. She dried it with magic, so it wasn't ruined. Then they washed their faces before Rowan was so happy to wear makeup though Regina explained this was an extra special occasion and she wasn't really allowed to wear makeup to school or anything. And then she launched into a makeup tutorial on purpose with Belle capturing every moment. Hair was done up in beautiful curls. And when Rowan saw the dresses with the heels she was bouncing up and down in happiness. They went outside and modeled their look and Rowan loved to model as she took some photos alone. To her surprise though she had a few outfit changes for her alone pictures which Regina just changed by magic and then her nieces joined her in matching outfits, and then of course some alone with Emma, who was not hating her gladiator heels as much as she thought when she saw her legs. And of course, Henry had a complimentary outfit.

"Do you want to change?" Regina asked Emma as they prepared to head to the indoor jungle gym park, Regina had built for winter, because no way in hell, was she allowing Snow in her house.

"Woman look at these calves are you insane?" Emma asked showing them off. Regina snorted in laughter and held her hands up in defense.

"My bad, do you baby, rock the heels," Regina said.

"Damn straight," Emma replied. They got everyone into the car and drove over, Rowan was in love with the porcelain doll theme and excited for her presents, but she wasn't allowed to touch yet. And her cake was three tiers. She was practically hyperventilated at seeing her name. Regina gave her a little tiara and sash. Didn't take long for her guests to arrive and they began to play as Emma and Regina mingled with the adults and looked after their three youngest. Xavieré and Lincoln wanted so bad to walk and run, but they just weren't steady enough to do more than cruise with their hands in Regina or Emma's.

"Oh, we're off again," Regina said as Xavieré headed towards Darien. "Be right back." When Regina spotted Ruby with Darien, she knew what had attracted her daughter.

"Oh, good pup number two, where's number three?" Ruby asked.

"She's coming slowly but surely," Emma laughed from behind Regina. Once the girls were with Ruby, they wanted nothing to do with their mothers for the time being. Regina and Emma went back to making sure everything ran smoothly. David arrived first, but late. Rowan ran to him gave him a hug happy to see the present, showed off her dress, and even took a picture with him before she ran off. Snow however was escorted in. She didn't bother dressing up and crossed her arms looking annoyed and upset. Rowan didn't ever approach her. Regina made sure her daughters' were safe with their Godmothers.

"Time for presents!" Regina called. All the kids came running. They surrounded Rowan as Emma brought her, her first present. An art set from David, closet for her dress up clothes from Emma, and from each friend a new clothing item appeared to her delight for playing different characters. Ruby provided the toy swords, wands, and crowns. Kathryn the plastic shoes, and Belle a set of books. Regina gave Rowan a huge make up set that she could play around and explore in. Her favorite present though was the beautiful porcelain doll in Victorian era clothing that looked like her, and then it was time for cake, and she blew out her four candles and cut the first slice. Everything was great until they were cleaning up and packing away presents. Rowan was still playing with Ruby as well as the girls and Henry.

"You have got some nerve," Mary Margaret said approaching Regina and Emma who were discussing the castle bed they had Mulan put up with Ruby after their departure from home.

"Mary Margaret unless you're over here to apologize, you need to head back to the hospital with Archie," Emma told her.

"NO!" Mary Margaret yelled. "How dare you plan my child's first birthday party and not include me; how dare you decide to match her like you're her mother when I am her mother!" Regina looked at Mary Margaret shaking her head.

"You need to lower your voice, first of all why would I not plan her birthday party when I stepped up when you decided to step down, because you went from wanting me as your mother to yelling that you were my true love. You wanted nothing to do with that beautiful little girl, because she's not exactly what you thought. So, I loved her for her."

"Damn don't even know if you're talking about me or Rowan anymore," Emma grumbled.

"I did not step down, you are taking my children from me," Mary Margaret snapped.

"I didn't take anyone, I simply gave them what you could not, unconditional love," Regina told her. Mary Margaret cried, and David tried to comfort her while giving Regina a little glare. Mary Margaret pushed him off.

"You're right," Mary Margaret said. Regina and Emma looked weary. "I'm sorry I'm just so emotional because you don't come to see me, you're all I ask about."

"I thought you asked me for me," Emma said glaring at her father.

"Emma, why would I want to talk to you when you and your father are standing between Regina and I?" Mary Margaret asked her in complete seriousness.

"I…I…wow I want…I want to be upset and yet on the most basic level I get it, I truly get it, you were trying to stand between Regina and I and I didn't want to talk to you. So, all right, you're still delusional, but I understand it." Regina hit Emma lightly.

"So, it's very clear to me that nothing is going to change, since you're incapable of taking care of Rowan, I'm officially applying for custody, she needs security in life and love. You two are not allowed to be near any of my children. David as long as you continue to remain calm, I will keep authorizing supervised visits between you and Rowan. Otherwise I don't want you near our family." Regina turned and gathered up her children and Rowan who was now watching it all. She left by magic, and Ruby helped Emma finish packing up as Mary Margaret wailed about Emma putting a curse on Regina. David just dragged her back to the hospital.

"Fuck she's lost it," Ruby muttered. "Surprised David's not fighting about custody."

"Don't forget the huge yet on that, I think he can only focus on one crisis at once and right now that's Mary Margaret." Ruby grimaced and nodded at Emma's words.

"I'll set up guard outside." They went home and the kids were playing.

"Rowan, now that your sister is home, Emma, Henry, Demi, Xav, Linc, and I have one last present for you," Regina told her. Rowan stood up eagerly and approached them.

"So, you know when you were born everyone thought you were a boy," Emma said. Rowan nodded. "Well also when we're born, we all get a paper that says our name and gender." They showed her everyone's birth certificate and they showed her, her old one, but she didn't know it was her old one.

"It wrong," Rowan frowned.

"We know," Regina told her as Henry brought over the new one. "That's our present to you, one that tells the world who the real you are. No more Leopold Nolan. You are officially known as the Princess; Rowan Bailey Nolan and you were a born a girl." Rowan smiled big but then she frowned as she looked at everyone else's papers again. She looked at Emma.

"Why we different?" Rowan asked Emma. Emma looked confused.

"What do you mean, we're not different," Emma said.

"You not the same." She pointed to their last names and then to Henry, Darien, and the girls' birth certificate, they all said Mills.

"Oh, that's because we have different parents, Regina's not your mommy exactly, and they didn't know our parents when I was born. So, I got the last name Swan, and you get our parents last name Nolan," Emma tried to explain. "But when I marry your Reggie, I will change mine to Mills."

"I stay different," Rowan pouted. "I wanna be like Reggie."

"You're not different, you are family, and believe me you are like me," Regina told her smiling. "Now come on, I lied that wasn't your last present it was your second to last present." Rowan squealed when she saw her room and her name in large pink letters on the wall, but before they put her to bed that night, they noticed that the Nolan was changed to Mills.

"I think Rowan is trying to tell us something," Emma chuckled as they crept out later.

"Good thing I plan on making her wish come true, she's not going back to that house I mean it."

"Never love," Emma told her.

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