A/N: Thank you for your amazing support on this wonderful story! There is still much more to read. I meant to post this earlier today, but as promised here is a new chapter. Enjoy! ;) I await your awesome reviews.
Two more months went by. Regina was now four months into her pregnancy. She missed Emma more and more, and she wished she would be experiencing this pregnancy along with her. But, neither of them had talked ever since they saw each other at the mall in the city.
August was having breakfast with Emma that morning. He felt torn in two, for he didn't want to leave Emma to a promise he had made to Mary Margaret, but he also wanted to be with Regina. Care for her. What was worse, August could tell Emma wasn't happy. Graham and Father Gabriel would come around, and they'd go visit Regina. It was as if all three men were playing a ping pong match between the two, going from one side to the other. With no hope of a reconciliation.
He had had enough. It had been too long. He placed his fork down as it clanked loudly onto the plate, as the blonde's head looked up at him in question.
"Emma, don't you think this has gone far enough?" he asked.
"What?" replied Emma.
"Don't you think it's time for you to talk to Regina?" he asked, hopeful.
"No." Emma replied quickly.
"Emma-"
"No, August."
Enough was enough. He had bit his tongue long enough for the sake of her pain, but damn it - Regina was hurting too.
"Regina got pregnant for you! To give you a family, and you're just throwing it away! What's worse you bring Lily back here, and you're sleeping with her!" he shouted at her.
"Nothing has happened between Lily and I." Emma remained calm.
"Do you really think Regina sees it that way?" he asked.
"Regina has nothing to say." replied the blonde.
"Emma, you have to think about that baby, like it or not, it is yours." said August.
"Don't even go there, August." replied a now agitated blonde.
"If you don't change this behavior of yours, you are going to miss out on so much." August shook his head.
Emma finally snapped, "I changed for Regina and look how she repaid me! She had him living here, August."
"Ok, so that was wrong, but it doesn't mean she was cheating on you, Em! That baby is as much as yours as it is hers! You can't abandon it, or you will be doing the same thing your father did with you!" he shouted.
"Do not go there, August! You and Graham are my brothers, but don't think you have a right to tell me what to do!" she shouted.
Silence filled the dining room at first. Emma was being stubborn with all this situation. And he understood it, but he needed to figure out a way to convince her to bring Mary Margaret back into the house. At least.
"I understand why you kicked Regina out. I do. But could you at least bring Mary back here with us?" he asked, almost pleading.
"What is your problem, August? What is your interested in Mary all of a sudden?" asked Emma, her tone now annoyed with the same subject.
"You are my problem, Emma." he grew upset once again, "You are being unreasonable with both Regina and Mary! Now, I was there when Regina went into that clinic and went through that whole process for you! Just let Daniel go, go get Regina and Mary and bring them here where they belong!" he shouted.
Emma stood from her chair, angry, "I am not allowing that woman back in here just so she can fool me like everyone else!"
"Damn it, Emma! Mary Margaret is your mother!" he shouted as he stood up from his seat.
Emma's eyes grew wide as she was taking in what August had just confessed. He didn't mean to give Mary Margaret up just like that, he knew he had broken the promise of not saying anything to Emma, but he couldn't take it anymore. It had been four months. Four months of pushing Regina and the older woman out of her life. Four damn months.
"What the hell are you talking about?" she asked, still in shock.
August sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "I'm sorry. But I will no longer allow you to think wrong of her, when she didn't do anything wrong."
"That can't be true." she shook her head in disbelief, "My mother died. James always said-"
"James was a coward. I was a kid when you were just a baby, Emma, but I remember. James obligated her to leave you, but before she left, she made me swear to look after you."
Tears fell from Emma's eyes as she knew he was telling her the truth, "Leave, where?"
"I don't know. That's something only she can tell you. She made me promise I wouldn't say anything to you, until she was ready to tell you herself. But this has gone far enough, Emma. That woman has been slaving in this house, just to be near you. Her own and only daughter."
"But, why? Why didn't she just tell me?" Emma asked as her voice broke.
"She's been afraid of what you would think of her. She didn't want you to be embarrassed of her, now that you have all this money to your name." replied August.
And it was then, that Emma finally understood why the older woman cared so much and looked at her the way she always did. Why she was so happy once everything was settled between her and Regina. Emma remembered why, the day she was shot she heard a faint voice talking to her in a very loving manner, a voice that didn't belong to Regina. She wasn't always fully conscious, but she remembers a voice that sounded just like hers.
"Who else knows?" asked Emma.
"Father Gabriel and Regina." replied August.
"Regina knew?" the blonde's voice was more surprised as she asked him that question.
August nodded, "She overheard us having a conversation about it. She told me so herself. She didn't tell Mary about it, until the day she went to the clinic. That's why she wanted her there, to make her a part of her being a grandmother."
Tears found their way out of Emma's eyes as she ran her fingers through her hair. It didn't take long for her to simply take off running out of the house, not hearing August call out to her as she simply hoped in her beetle and drove off in fast speed.
Regina had an ultrasound that same morning. Everything with her pregnancy was marching well. Her baby bump was growing. It was more noticable now than it had been before. The brunette now practically glowing with that one special glow that a woman gets while being pregnant. She stood in front of her bedroom mirror, hands on her round stomach, smiling as she looked over at it through the mirroring image. She was now four months into her pregnancy and with every day that went by she grew more and more excited for her baby boy's birth. But, it was times like these where she couldn't help but think of a certain blonde that she still devotedly loved.
She still cried on those lonely nights. Wished that she could share all that's changed with Emma, be home with her, in their own bed, getting lost in each other's arms. It was still torture. And the thought of Emma sharing their bed with Lily turned her insides. For the sake of their baby, she tried to keep her emotions in control. It brought a smile to her face just how smart the baby seemed to be even inside her womb. Everytime Regina would talk about Emma, or mention her name - the baby would move.
Her smile was now small, as she thought about Emma in that very moment, her hands caressing her stomach softly.
Mary Margaret knocked on the door as she walked in, smiling like a proud, soon to be grandmother, "You look just radiant!" her smile faded as she witness the brunette's smile fade as well, "It's Emma, isn't it?" she asked.
"I just wish she wasn't so stubborn." Regina replied.
"I'm sorry to say she got that from her father." said Mary Margaret.
"Maybe if she knew that, she would change it." Regina chuckled.
Their attention was soon caught by the ring of the doorbell. Mary Margaret's eyes grew wide as they heard Cora shouting downstairs, she looked out the window as she quickly looked back at Regina, "You're not going to believe who's here."
"Who is, is it Emma?" asked Regina, hope in her voice.
"It's Daniel." Mary said in a mere whisper, Regina's eyes growing wide in surprise. He was the last person she expected to even show up.
"I'm not leaving until I see Regina." Daniel's voice was heard as Regina made her way down the steps with Mary Margaret's help.
"My daughter is a married woman now, she wants nothing to do with you." Cora said.
"It's alright, mother." said Regina, as all eyes turned to look at her.
Daniel grew silent, his eyes focused on a beautiful, glowing Regina. His heart beating about a hundred miles per hour. He always thought she was beautiful, but this new Regina made him fall for her all over again. His eyes soon traveled towards her round stomach. He didn't know about her being pregnant, and this struck him like a steak in the heart.
"Let's talk outside." Regina's voice was heard once again, drifting Daniel away from his thoughts.
"Regina, you can't possibly have anything to say to this man." said an angry Cora.
"It'll be fine." Regina looked over her shoulder to Mary Margaret, "Would you come outside with us, please?"
"Of course." the older woman nodded. She understood well why Regina wanted her there. She wanted her to be a witness that Regina was no longer interested in him in the slightest, in case Emma ever asked. They stood just outside the door, as it closed.
"What do you want, Daniel?" asked Regina, wanting to make this quick.
"I heard about what happened. I know Emma now knows about me." his eyes shifted down to her stomach, "You're really pregnant." he murmured, the many times he ever pictured her pregnant, carrying his babies, didn't do justice to the beauty he was seeing now, "Is it…?"
"It's mine, and Emma's." the brunette nodded in confirmation.
His eyes grew sad, because deep down he was hoping to have the slightest chance with her again.
"I suppose this means that things are well with you two, then? Even after she found out who I was." he said.
Regina knew he was still hurt, and being here was hurting him just as much, which is why she couldn't bring herself to tell him that Emma had grown furious whens he found out about his true identity and kicked her out. That would only give him hope and slim her chances of ever getting back with Emma - if there were any left. So, she lied.
"They are. She's been working a lot, so I came to be with my parents for a while. She was angry when she found out about you, but she loves me and I love her. We've agreed to move past it all."
Daniel held back tears, "She sure keeps surprising me. She's really a far better person than I thought."
"You better go. I wouldn't want her to find you here. You understand." replied Regina.
"Right. Well… I'm… I'm happy for you. Both of you. I'm sorry for any trouble I may have caused you."
Regina's eyes watered as he began to walk away. She cared for him and hated hurting him, much less lying. After lying to Emma for so long, and given the consequences of those lies, she no longer wanted to lie. But, she had to.
"I had to lie to him." she said as she felt Mary Margaret's arm wrap around her in support.
"I know. You did the right thing. He has to understand that your heart belongs to Emma." replied the older woman.
"I'm not so sure he ever will." replied Regina, her eyes never leaving Daniel as he walked away.
"You should get some rest. Come." Mary Margaret guided her back inside as she shut the door behind them.
"Is he gone?" asked Cora.
"Yes." replied Mary Margaret as she headed up the stairs along with Regina.
Regina lied down on her bed, Mary Margaret helping her place her feet up, "Thank you."
"I'll cut you up some fruit and bring it up to you." said the older woman as she provided the brunette with a warm smile.
Another knock was heard at the door, as Mary Margaret made her way out of the bedroom she heard a familiar voice.
"Emma, I'm surprised to see you here. Regina is in her room if-" said Cora.
"I'm not here for Regina. I came to see my mother." Emma quickly replied as Cora's brows furrowed in confusion.
"I'm sorry. You're mother?"
Mary Margaret was making her way down the stairs as Emma's eyes landed on her, welcoming herself into the house.
Emma felt ashamed. She had no words. All her life she grew up believing by James that her mother was dead, and now she was standing right before her. The same woman she had hurt and thrown out of her life. The same woman who walked back into her life, caring for her as if she was her own - because she was.
The blonde placed her hands inside her jean pockets, shoulders hanging in shame before the older woman, not at all caring that a shocked Cora was still standing in the same room as them, "I came to take you back home. Mom."
Mom. The one word she prayed all her life to hear come out of Emma's lips was now being said. The color running from her cheeks as tears began pooling around her eyes. As for Emma, it felt natural to her to say such a word. There wasn't a day she wished for a mother and she was proud that Mary Margaret was just that, she was more than willing to show her just how proud she was to have her as her mother.
"How did you-?" asked a still shocked Mary Margaret as she walked closer to her daughter.
"August told me." A sigh escaped the older woman's chest, as Emma could see a bit of disappointment in her features, since she had asked him not to say a word, "Please, don't be mad at him. He just couldn't stand me being unfair with you anymore. I for one, am glad he told me."
"You are?" Mary Margaret murmured as Emma nodded silently, tears falling from both their eyes, "I'm so sorry I kept this from you. I just didn't want you being ashamed of me."
"You have nothing to be sorry for." Emma replied as more tears found their way down her face, "I could never be ashamed of you."
M. M. was taken by surprise as Emma wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug, her arms wrapping around the blonde's form in return as a smile spread across her lips and more tears found their way down, "Emma." she whispered as she cupped her daughter's face in her hands as she looked into her exhausted green eyes, as now a small sad smile formed across Emma's own lips. Emma's thumbs gently wiping away her mother's tears.
"She's your mother?" asked Cora, bursting their little bubble of happiness.
"Yes, she is." replied Emma as she looked over at her mother with a warm smile, "Shall we go?" she asked Mary Margaret.
"What about Regina?" M. M. asked with worry of leaving her alone. She loved Regina dearly, she knew things between them were bad but she didn't want to leave her and their baby uncared for.
Emma turned to Cora as she was still in the room, "Could you please give us a minute to talk alone?" she asked to which Cora simply nodded and walked out, making her way into another room of the house.
"Emma, I want nothing more, but to go home with my daughter." she smiled at the use of the word as her hand was placed on Emma's cheek, "But, I don't want to leave Regina. She needs me too. Her and… the baby. They both need me. And, you."
"I understand that." Emma nodded, "But, your place is also with me. I'm not trying to keep you from being with Regina if that's what you wish. I know how much you care for her. I just… there's so much to talk about. I need you with me right now. Please."
Emma's voice was so soft and loving towards her, her eyes were filled with sadness, pooled by gathered tears, she couldn't say no. If anything Mary Margaret knew Regina would understand. She too wanted to be with her daughter, after all. Make up for all that lost time.
"Is it true that Lily is living with you?" she asked bluntly. She needed to know out of the blonde herself before she agreed in leaving with her.
Emma nodded quietly, her head hanging in shame.
"Emma, I hope you aren't-"
"No. It's nothing like that. I swear to you." Emma interrupted her words, understanding well what her mother meant.
"I'll go talk to Regina, and gather my things."
It was no question she would leave with Emma. She was a mess and she was prepared to guide her through her emotional fallout just as she had been doing with Regina in these past four months.
As she made her way into Regina's bedroom, the brunette sat up from her bed, brows furrowed in question, "I heard Emma's voice. Is she here?" her eyes filled with hope.
"Yes." M. M. nodded, "She's come to take me home with her. She finally knows the truth." she couldn't help to smile as she heard Emma's words echo in her mind as she called her mom. Regina's own eyes filled with tears as she stood from her bed and embraced the woman in a warm hug.
"I'm so happy for you. I knew she would love you, no matter what." replied Regina, a hint of sadness in her voice. But, she understood that Mary's place was beside Emma.
"I just hate the idea of leaving you and the baby." said Mary Margaret as she backed away from their embrace, hearing the sadness in Regina's voice.
"We will be perfectly fine." Regina smiled, "Kathryn practically comes by daily, you know she takes good care of me. You should be with Emma. Be with your daughter."
"I'll visit you everyday. Everyday." Mary promised as she wiped Regina's falling tears.
"Be sure to tell Emma how much I love her." this was something Regina pleaded from the older woman.
"I will talk to her. I promise. Emma will come back looking for you too." replied Mary Margaret.
Both women said their goodbyes. It was an emotional goodbye. Regina would miss her, but she knew Mary Margaret would visit her daily and she was truly happy that Emma would finally have a bit of happiness in her life.
The drive back was a bit of a long one, but it gave them enough time to cross a few words in the car. But it wasn't until they arrived home, that they would have their first real talk.
Emma carried her suitcase inside as they made their way into the house. Mary Margaret realized after coming back just how much she had missed it.
"We can go shopping this weekend, if you'd like. I'd like to get you some new clothes. Anything you'd like." said Emma, her voice still soft and loving towards her.
"That's sweet, but I have plenty of clothes. I am happy just being here with you." replied Mary Margaret as a smile formed on her lips.
"What are you doing back here?" both heads turned to the sound of Lily's voice as she walked into the living room with her arms crossed over her chest, ready to throw the woman out if Emma told her to. Only to her surprise, Emma wrapped an arm around Mary Margaret as she spoke in a more firm tone of voice.
"I want you to apologize to my mother."
Lily's eyes grew wide, "Your - your mother?"
"That's right. She has every right to be here, so I ask that you show her the respect she deserves from now on." replied Emma.
"Of course." Lily murmured, her eyes looking to the floor, "I'm sorry."
Lily quickly left the room, fuming at the thought that she would have to be around Mary Margaret Blanchard, but she wanted to remain on Emma's good graces.
Emma looked over at her mother with a warm, sad smile, "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"I'd rather talk to you first." replied the older woman.
"Of course." Emma nodded as she motioned towards her study, allowing her to walk in first as she followed closely behind, shutting the doors in process.
"I suppose your wonder why I left you for all those years." Mary Margaret spoke as Emma pulled out the two chairs that were in front of her desk, both taking a seat across from each other.
"James was a bastard. You don't have to tell me that." Emma took her mother's hands into her own as her eyes locked onto hers, "I want you to know that I was never angry at you for leaving."
"He hurt us both, Emma. You just got the worst of it." tears fell from her eyes, "But right now, what I wish to speak to you about is your behavior towards Regina."
"Mom-" Emma sighed, going immediately quiet as Mary Margaret placed her other hand on top of Emma's.
"Emma. Listen to me. You are very stubborn, just like James was." she could see the anger in the blonde's eyes at comparing her to a man she grew to hate, "I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true. The major difference between you and him, is that you have been more forgiving and understanding. Don't let go of that now."
"So, you expect me to just forgive Regina, after bringing him here?" asked Emma, willing to talk.
"I know you're angry. And you have every right to be. But, she loves you, Emma. Did you forget I came to work here before everything got good between you two? If anyone witnessed her change towards you - it's me. The fact that Daniel came to work here, that was his doing. I won't lie to you and tell you that he didn't try to get her to leave with him. He did. But, I promise you that she never once considered leaving with him."
Silence filled the room as Mary Margaret could tell that Emma was taking in all her words. Emma could see the truth in her mother's eyes. But, it still pained her.
"He's her first love, mom." Emma murmured, pain lingering in her voice.
"No, sweetheart." Mary Margaret raised Emma's fallen head so she could meet her gaze once again, "You are. Daniel may have been her first experience, an illusion of what love could be. But, you became her first love, Emma. She's grown with you. Why can't you see that? I was with her in that clinic when she decided she wanted to carry this baby for you." a smile formed on her lips, "It's a boy."
Emma hadn't known the sex of the baby yet, and she was more than happy to give her the news.
"A boy?" Emma murmured as tears ran from her eyes.
"You know, Daniel went to see her today." Mary informed her, worry growing in Emma's gaze now, "I was there as they spoke. She doesn't want anything to do with him, Emma. He didn't even know she was pregnant, until today. She told him it was yours."
"She said it was mine?" asked the blonde in a whisper.
Mary nodded, "Tell me, Emma. Do you still love her?"
"I've never stopped." tears ran down her eyes, her voice breaking, "She's my whole world. I realize I wasn't fair to her in the beginning. But, I decided to trust her. She should have told me."
"She wanted to, but you have to understand, it wasn't an easy thing to say." her thumbs brushed across Emma's face, wiping away her fallen tears, "You get angry, you say hurtful things. And, once Daniel said he was leaving for good, she didn't think there would be anything more to worry about."
"Why didn't you say something?" asked Emma.
"It wasn't me who should have said anything, Emma. Besides, I wasn't ready then to tell you who I was. Had I said something, you would have just kicked me out that much sooner." replied Mary Margaret.
Tears ran down Mary Margaret's eyes now as she was taken completely by surprise by Emma once more, as soon as she dropped to her knees in front of her mother, her head lying on her lap as she broke into a sob that she had been holding in for the longest time.
"I'm sorry." Emma sobbed, her arms hugging the older woman's legs, "I'm so sorry for treating you the way I did. I was wrong."
"It doesn't matter anymore. I have nothing to forgive, sweetheart." she lifted Emma's head up once more, as she looked into those sad green eyes, "I know I left you, and I promise I will tell you about it someday. Right now, you have to get your thoughts straight. You have to let go of all that anger you feel for Daniel."
"I can't do that. Not while he's around. He's not going to stop trying, I know it." Emma shook her head in protest.
"You're right. He's not. But, that's why you have to fight. Fight for her Emma. Give Regina a chance to show you - to choose who she really wants to be with. The answer may surprise you. I am not trying to make you do this now, but think it over. Figure it out. Because, I promise you, if you keep letting this jealousy over a man that means nothing more to her destroy you, you will lose her."
She couldn't understand how or when her tough motherly instincts kicked in, but Emma needed to listen. She needed to see that she wasn't lying. She would never lie to Emma, and the blonde now knew that.
To her surprise, Emma nodded, "Ok. Call Regina tomorrow and tell her that she is welcome to come over, I'll sit here with her and we'll talk about everything."
She knew Emma meant it. And she was more than happy to call Regina up after dinner to give her the wonderful news, to which the brunette couldn't even bring herself to believe that it had been that easy to convince her wife about talking things over.
August was also the happiest to find out that Mary Margaret had been back and even happier that maybe by tomorrow Regina would back as well.
Everything felt like it was starting to fall right back into place. It felt too good to be true.
August had gone off with Mary Margaret to buy groceries to make them a special dinner. She wanted everything perfect for today. She anxiously awaited to see Regina smiling, along with Emma as soon as she entered the house.
Not everyone was happy about the news, as Emma informed Lily about Regina stopping by later that day. The blonde grew nervous at the idea, but she did want to talk things out. After that long conversation with her mother, she came to realize how stupid she had been. Her mother was right, she needed to fight, make things right. Let her choose.
"You can't possibly be serious, Emma!" Lily shouted as she stood in the middle of the room, watching as Emma picked out what to wear before Regina arrived.
"I am serious." replied Emma, as she laid out her red leather jacket on to the bed.
"And, just what makes you think she's even coming? She played you, Emma." said Lily.
"Stop reminding me of that every fucking day!" Emma quickly grew upset. For the past four months Lily had done nothing but try to convince her to file for a divorce by reminding her of how the brunette had lied to her.
"I will when you realize that I've been the one here for you! Now all of a sudden she's coming here and you forget all about the support I've been giving you!" Lily shouted.
Emma walked up to Lily, "Look, Lily, I've been more than thankful for what you've been doing for me. But, Regina is my wife and I am not happy like this. I was angry, I was being stupid, so please… lay off the same old stories already." she sighed, "I'm going to shower."
Lily left the room as soon as she heard the water running from the shower, hating the thought of Regina being back here. She made her way down the stairs as she heard a knock at the door, seeing Regina standing before her, eyes traveling to her round belly.
"What are you still doing here?" asked Regina as she quirked an eyebrow.
"Emma wants me here." Lily reminded her, as she stood between the slightly opened door, not planning to let her inside.
"I can assure you, not for very long, dear." Regina chuckled.
"Oh? And, you think she wants you? After what you did." Lily chuckled.
"If she didn't she wouldn't of asked me to come over. So, be a good girl and call her for me." replied Regina.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, Emma gave me a message for you, seems she's changed her mind about seeing you." Lily lied.
"What?" Regina's brows furrowed in confusion.
"She no longer wants to speak to you." she shrugged as a chuckle escaped her, "Much less know anything about this baby you're carrying."
Regina grew upset, "I don't believe you."
"I don't expect you to believe me. But, I'm telling you the truth. She said she won't be held responsible for Daniel's baby. Those were her exact words."
Daniel's baby. Those words cut through Regina's insides like a knife. It made her sick to her stomach - so much she was sure she felt a slight pain.
"Let me talk to Emma. I want to hear this from her." Regina now demanded.
"I just told you, she doesn't want to see you. So, why don't you be a good girl, and save yourself the embarrassment. Have a nice day."
The door was shut right in Regina's face as the brunette was left practically seething where she stood, her chest began to rise with every sharp breath she took. Feeling as if she was just made a fool of and Emma was possibly making fun of her. She felt another slight pain as she decided it was best she'd leave as she got in her car and drove off.
It didn't take Emma long to be out of the shower, as she was making her way down the stairs once Lily was about to walk back up, with a victorious grin on her face.
"Was someone at the door? Was it Regina?" asked a hopeful blonde.
"Sorry, Em. She changed her mind. She said she'd rather have Daniel look after the baby. That you don't have to worry about it anymore."
Lily's lie had Emma's hope disappear in a flash as she made her way into her study, slamming the doors shut.
Hours later, August had arrived home by himself, for he had dropped off Mary Margaret over to see Regina. August was left talking to a disappointed and angry Emma once again.
"I wanted to talk to her, August. According to Lily she showed up while I was in the shower but only to tell her that she had changed her mind. She didn't want to talk." said Emma as she remained seated by her desk.
"That's crazy, Em. She would show, I know Regina. Something must have happened." August assured her.
"I don't know." Emma shook her head, "Lily has never lied to me."
"I'm sorry to say this to you, Em, but I wouldn't be so sure about that anymore." August replied as his cell phone rang inside his jacket pocket, "Give me a moment." he told his friend as he answered his phone, "Hello? What? I'll tell her. We'll be right there."
Emma's eyes looked over at him, as his face went pale, "What's wrong?" she asked, brows furrowed.
"That was Kat. It's Regina, turns out once she arrived home she started having these labor pains."
"What?" Emma's eyes grew wide with worry.
"I don't understand how, it's still early. Your mom and Kathryn are with her at the hospital. They said you need to get there fast, because there may be something wrong with the baby."
"Get the keys, we're leaving now." said Emma as she stood up from her desk and rushed out of the room with August hot on her trail. She was worried, scared, she loved this woman and she loved their baby. Under no circumstances did she want to loose either of them.
August turned that SUV into a fast and the furious car, racing all through the road towards where Regina was being treated. It was the longest ride Emma had ever taken. It felt like an eternity.
August slammed on the car brakes, the tires blowing out smoke as it left a black trail of tire marks on the pavement to the hospital's main entrance, "Go! I'll park the car." he ordered Emma as she raced out of the car, running past the automatic sliding doors, towards the nearest reception desk.
"May I help you?" asked the receptionist.
"The maternity floor, please - uh - Regina Swan-Mills. What room is she in?" she corrected herself as she spoke through breathes.
"Are you Emma Swan?" a feminine voice asked as Emma turned to face a doctor.
"Yes. Are you her doctor?" she asked.
"I am. I'm Doctor Fisher." she shook Emma's hand in greeting, as a now panting and out of breath August rushed into the hospital.
"Hey. How's Regina?" he asked through breathes.
"Everything is fine. She experienced some early labor pains, which is normal at this stage of the pregnancy." she explained.
"Labor pains? She's still four months." said August.
"That can happen at four months. Most women don't experience them until they reach eight, sometimes up to nine months. Some don't get symptoms at all."
"So, she's going to be okay?" Emma asked.
"She's going to be perfectly fine. I checked up on her, everything seems to be marching beautifully - the baby is growing perfectly. I did an ultrasound on her and everything looks healthy." the doctor provided her with a reassuring smile as Emma and August sighed with relief.
"May I… can I see her?" asked Emma, not wanting to wait any longer.
"Of course. Go up to the fourth floor, she'll be in room 403."
"Thank you."
August and Emma quickly made their way up to the fourth floor as they met up with Mary Margaret and Kathryn in the waiting area, just across Regina's room.
"You're late." Kathryn told Emma as their eyes met, "I'm glad you came. She'll be very happy to finally see you. Just try not to upset her."
Kathryn was more than willing to let bygones be bygones. Emma was the love of Regina's life and she was no one to stand in the way of that. She wanted to see her best friend happy.
Mary Margaret smiled as she rubbed Emma's back, encouraging her to step into the room, "Go, sweetheart. Her parents will be here soon, so best you go in now."
Emma didn't hesitate to walk over to the room, as she slowly stood outside the door, enough to hear Regina talking.
"This isn't exactly how I pictured this experience for you. You're mommy Emma is a stubborn one, but she loves you very much. I have no doubt about that." said Regina as she caressed her stomach, looking down at it.
"You're right about that. I do love him very much. Just like I love his mom with every beating of my heart." said Emma as she walked into the room.
Regina's eyes lid up as they wanted to start filling up with tears, her heart racing inside her chest it was ready to jump out, "Emma."
"Sorry I'm late." replied Emma, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her now very pregnant and radiant wife.
Finally after all her waiting, all her hoping, all her wishing - Emma was there. Her eyes worried, sad and in love all at once. Brown meeting with green as they both began to fall even more in love each other, not that they ever stopped.
A/N 2: I hope you guys are prepared for chapter 19 next... Emma may have a run in with a certain someone...