A/N: Here it is! The moment you've all been waiting for... I hope you enjoy this chapter, I realize it isn't super super long, but I promise you - there is a lot more to come for the the next one, along with an unexpected surprise... Thank you all for following this story and your continuous support.

A/N 2: This chapter goes out especially to my good friend NicoleRivera13 in honor of her belated birthday! :)

Regina was now in her eighth month of pregnancy. Four months had flown right by, and Emma still couldn't bring herself to believe just how fast it had been. Four months of her waiting on Regina hand and foot. Emma had always been puddy in her wife's hands, but now with baby Henry on the way - she was much more attentive. Though, Regina knew that part of all that attention was because Emma was still trying to make up for her mistake of throwing her out.

Things had taken their course, their time for them to get back to how things were between them. It took patience and Emma had proven to Regina that she had a lot of it.

Any late night cravings Regina seemed to get, Emma was ready and willing to tend to them. Emma had been so attentive, that Regina wanted to give her the same kind of attention. Emma had been away for the day, wouldn't be back until dinner. A sudden trip came up to Chicago which Emma was forced to take. Of course, being the boss had its advantages. Given that she had a very pregnant wife waiting at home, she didn't plan on being away anymore than she had to be.

Regina was in the kitchen with Mary Margaret and Eugenia, preparing her famous lasagna once more. She knew how much Emma had enjoyed it the first time.

She put every ounce of love into that lasagna, to the very last red pepper flake.

"I hope you made enough of that lasagna of yours, Gina, because I'm going to want seconds." said August as he entered the kitchen with a smile on his face.

"Of course, August. There is plenty for everyone, I assure you." replied Regina as David entered the kitchen, his blue eyes falling directly on Mary Margaret, as her brown eyes fell on his, trying to hide that shy smile she always found herself in around him. Regina had taken notice to their exchanged glances.

The doorbell sounded which caught everyone's attention. Regina was quick to remove her apron and head towards the door, "I got it."

As Regina reached for the door handle and swang it open, she was greeted by a man, as he held a small stuffed giraffe animal in his hands, "I was told to deliver this to Regina Swan-Mills."

"That's me." replied Regina as she flashed a pearly white smile as her eyes looked over at the stuff giraffe.

The man simply handed her the stuffed toy as he walked away with a smile of his own.

Regina closed the door, smiling down at the stuffed animal as she reached for the card that was attached to it.

"Open the door."

Regina's brows furrowed at the single message that was written on the card, but she soon rushed to the door to swing it open once more as she recognized the handwriting. She was too familiar with it now. She wasn't disappointed either, as a smile spread across her face when she saw Emma standing outside the door, grinning just as widely as she.

"Where you here the whole time he stood there?" asked Regina, surprised to see her home earlier than expected.

"I might have been." replied Emma as she stood by the doorway.

Regina held out the toy giraffe, "Cute." she replied, her tone full of wonder, "Though, I think I may be a little too big for a baby giraffe."

"I don't think so. It does seem taken with you." replied Emma jokingly, her smile never leaving her lips. Her smile grew bigger and bigger as the days of the arrival of their first child came closer and closer, "Anyway, I believe I came across that giraffe and I thought Henry might like it." the blonde bent down as she reached for a bouquet of red and white roses that were placed beside the door, hidden behind it, revealing them to an even more surprised brunette, "These, however, I thought you might like more for you."

Regina's eyes were pooled with tears. With her pregnancy a foot, she had become emotional at many things. One of the many perks of being pregnant. But, it would also be a lie to say that she didn't miss her wife after she had to be gone since morning. Emma loved this sensitive side of Regina. She hated being away from the brunette, even if it was just for a couple of hours, but she loved her reaction every time she could surprise her this way. She would tear up, with a smile so wide it would make her cheeks hurt and she'd throw herself into Emma's awaiting arms for a long, heartfelt embrace as their lips came together in a longing and hard kiss.

It never failed.

The brunette did just that in that very instant, taking the flowers in her grasp as Emma's arms wrapped around her pregnant form, and their lips met, melting away against one another.

Emma broke away from their kiss as her scent was heightened to the smell of freshly made lasagna, her gaze quickly falling on Regina's, "I smell lasagna. Did you cook?"

"I know what you're going to say. Don't." Regina stepped in with her reply, knowing well Emma wanted her resting and not so much on her feet, "I didn't do it alone. Your mom and Eugenia helped me."

Emma shot her a worried look. Truth is, the blonde became concern after Regina had to be taken to the hospital after she had another close call at an early, but false alarm delivery. Even after the doctor assured them the pregnancy was coming along as scheduled, Emma worried.

Plump red lips pressed against thin pink ones in a chaste kiss, "Don't worry so much. I've been feeling wonderful today - even happier now that you are home." said Regina.

"Emma!" shouted a happy and perky Mary Margaret, as her arms wrapped around the blonde's form in a tight hug, "I'm so happy you are home safe and sound, sweetheart."

"I'm glad to finally be home." Emma smiled down at her mother.

"No more trips after this one? I'm sure Graham can manage without you having to drive on those long trips. Regina will be due soon." said Mary Margaret to which Emma shook her head.

"No more trips." she replied.

"Well, let's all prepare for dinner, then. Before August and David finish off that lasagna." she joked as she walked over to the dining room with Regina and Emma in tow, both arms linked around both women who were on each side of her.

Dinner had been a pleasant one. As all dinners had been ever since things returned to normal. August greeted Emma in one of his famous bear hugs that would always leave her gasping for air. And David greeted his niece with a hug of his own. The idea of having each other as family was still crazy for him and Emma but, they were slowly coming into terms with it.

They hadn't had a chance to talk so much, since the timing was a busy one for the blonde. But she had promised Regina and her mother that once she was back from this last trip - out of many she had to take over the last passing months - she would take a long and much needed break. She needed and wanted to be present in the birth of their baby. She wanted to enjoy Henry to the fullest and she would. With August and Graham on board on things now, and everything running smoothly out in the fields and factories in Chicago - and no sign of Lily or Gold, or even Daniel… things should be smooth sailing from here on out.

David however was eager to have a talk with the blonde. Which after dinner, they both sat outside for a while to do just that. It was surprising to Emma how much they were alike in many things. Even crazier how everytime she would look over at the man, she would be staring into the same face of a man she had grown to hate and never once - even till this day called father. But, David had proven to be different. He had thought about leaving but was touched to be asked to stay by Emma herself. So he did. Since he stayed there, he had cleaned himself up more, shaved off his scruffiness. He was truly a prince charming - even Mary Margaret took notice.

They both sat on the steps, near the front door. Emma looked up at the filled star sky, taking it in as she was happy to be home.

"I have to say, Emma. I am very impressed with what you've done to this place. You have given it a whole new meaning. James was always hard working but he never cared to look after the place. So, I was told." spoke David.

"I always loved it here, and with Henry being born soon. I want to have something to offer him and Regina." replied Emma, as she paused for a minute before continuing, "That's the difference between him and I. He never thought about family, while I longed for it all my life."

David could see hurt in Emma's green eyes, as she looked directly into his. Even if there wasn't as much pain as before - but it was still there.

"I'm sorry about James. But, I'm glad he finally left you with what you deserved in the end." replied David.

"It's as much as yours as it is mine." Emma said, taking David by surprise, "You are family, after all."

"Oh, no." David chuckled, "Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of having a family. Like you, I longed for one my whole life." his eyes turned away as he spoke, "Like you, James took that chance from me long ago."

Emma knew what or rather who he was talking about. The attraction between David and Mary Margaret was pretty obvious to everyone in the house, even if the conversation didn't go any further than it needed to for both.

"I'm glad you turned out nothing like him." David spoke as they both shared a light laugh at his comment.

"You don't seem to be anything like him either. What are you like, David?" asked a curious Emma.

"Me? I'm not much, really. Like you, I can be hard working. I never like the idea of leading like James did and not get my hands dirty." Emma chuckled at his comment, knowing well James never did any hard work in his life. If he got to where he once was, it wasn't due to a hard labored work. "Nobody knows this, but I am actually pretty good with a gun. I can hunt. My brother and I used to do that a lot as kids."

Emma remained silent, taking in every word he said.

"He grew to hate it eventually. Tried to forget he ever knew it."

Silence hung in the air, until Emma spoke, surprised herself by her own question.

"What made him become so…?"

"Cold hearted?" David finished her question, "Our parents divorced. Our father - your grandfather - was not a nice man. Him and James were thick as thieves. He tried to raise me the exact same way, but when our mother became ill I took it upon myself to care for her. I lived with her until her final days. When I decided to look for my brother, I was saddened by the turn he had taken. He turned out to be exactly or much worse than our father was."

"Ever since I was little, I promised to myself that I would never grow up to be like him." Emma spoke, "Of course, I didn't come to know he was my father until now, but when he took me in - he was the only father I knew. Until Father Gabriel came along."

"Mary Margaret mentioned to me that your life with him wasn't so easy. Of course, I knew that. She also mentioned that you worked under him for most of your life." replied David as Emma nodded.

"Maybe that's why I've craved a family my whole life. In some way, I've been wanting to prove to myself that I am in no way like him." said Emma.

"I wouldn't say that. I see you with your wife and I can see how much you love her. I see how happy you get when you glance at her and the baby she carries." David smiled as his hand rested on Emma's shoulder, "You are in way like him, Emma. If anything…" he chuckled at the crazy thought, "If anything, you're just like me."

David's words made Emma tear up in that moment. To be compared to the best part that James never possessed was refreshing. Not that her mother wasn't reminder enough, but to be told by the man's own flesh and blood, that was new to her. Something she never expected.

"Thank you, David." Emma murmured, as she held back her tears. "My mom tells me that you've been helping out August with the fields."

"It's the least I can do. Besides, I'd go crazy if I didn't do something." he paused as his gaze turned away from Emma, "While I'm here… I could show you… a few tricks I learned working out in the fields all my life. If you'd like."

Emma didn't turn to look over at David either, both straying away and feeling scared towards their instant connection.

"That would be great." Emma simply replied.

Neither understood why the instant father/daughter like connection. It scared them. They were family, but they had been strangers all their lives and now upon meeting and sitting down to talk for the first time in months since they met. They felt this instant connection with one another that couldn't be explained. Emma constantly had to keep reminding herself that this wasn't James. She didn't have to be so scared to bond with this man. Life was different now. It was better.

Emma found herself in bed with Regina, her head resting gently on her belly as she then placed quick, loving kisses to it. Both women in their sleeping attires. These were moments Emma quickly became used to and craved when she had to be away from her family. The feel of Regina's round belly, to the small, but felt kicks of the baby, to the brunette's adoring smile, and loving kisses. She wouldn't change or give up anything from these moments.

"It seems I'm not the only one that missed you." said Regina as her hands tangled up in Emma's hair, as she enjoyed the sight of Emma adoring their unborn child.

She loved seeing this side of Emma towards their baby, she couldn't help but wonder, just how much more adoring she would be towards him once he was born. That was something that made her anxious and impatient to see.

"I missed him terribly." replied Emma as she placed another loving kiss towards her stomach, feeling a small set of kicks directed towards her hand that had been placed on Regina's belly, bringing an automatic smile to her face, "He's an eager one."

"Just like his mom's." replied Regina with a smile of her own, "He's ready to be brought into this world." there was silence until Regina spoke again, not taking her eyes off of Emma, "You aren't leaving anymore, am I right?"

Emma shook her head, "I'm not going anywhere." the idea of Regina actually missing her, brought a smile to her lips, "This was my last trip. I want to be here for when Henry arrives - I want to be here for you." she placed a quick kiss on the brunette's hand as their fingers intertwined together like puzzle pieces.

"I was thinking, once Henry is born, I'd like to have a small gathering here at the house. A dinner, in celebration to our son's arrival." said Regina.

"That sounds like a good idea. I like it." replied Emma.

"I would just love for my father to see the baby, and traveling with Henry all the way to Chicago seems too much. At least for now. I realize my mother would have to come as well…" said Regina with an eye roll, "But, I know my father would love to visit."

"We'll talk about planning that dinner days after Henry is born." Emma smiled as she replied.

"You should call Graham. He's been away for too long, and I'd love it if he was here." said Regina as Emma nodded in agreement.

"I'll be sure to call him first thing tomorrow morning."

A month later, Emma was being woken up by 4am from their bed as Regina kept calling out her name, shaking her awake.

"Emma. I think… I think my water broke." said Regina as she now sat in a wet puddle that had created underneath her.

Emma shot up from bed at the words, as her eyes opened wide, forgetting all about sleep, "Your- that means it's time?"

Regina nodded as she felt contractions coming in exactly five minutes apart. August along with Mary Margaret came rushing into the bedroom as Emma shouted out for them. Emma held on to her wife as she helped her off the bed carefully while Regina kept up her breathing. Everyone was everywhere. Mary Margaret rushed to her room and came out with two different pairs of shoes on each foot. Emma tripped on her way to the closet, as she hopped on one foot, trying to put on the first pair of jeans she came across. She left on her black tank top she wore to bed and threw on her red jacket. Surprisingly, August was the most calm one. He was out the door and brought the car around as soon they were at the bottom of the stairs.

The trip to the hospital felt quick, August was great behind the wheel, but careful. The delivery felt even longer. The visiting area seated a nervous and anxious Henry, Cora along with him. A nervous and happy August, Mary Margaret, David - which Cora expected an explanation as to why the man looked like an exact replica of James Nolan.

Kathryn, surprisingly along with Graham arrived together to the hospital as soon as they were notified of the wonderful news.

Hours passed, a smiling Emma came out to give out the good news of the birth of Henry.

Mary Margaret was the first to hug her daughter in congratulations, smile from ear to ear, "I am so happy for both of you, sweetheart!"

"He's a strong boy. He's the most beautiful kid I've ever seen." replied Emma, tears falling from her eyes.

"Of course he is! He's a Mills as much as he is a Swan." Henry Sr. said as he wrapped an arm around the blonde.

"How's Regina, Em?" asked Kathryn as Graham hugged her, wishing them a congratulations.

"She's exhausted. But, she did wonderfully." replied Emma with a smile she couldn't stop from beaming off of her.

"You should go with Regina, Em." August said as he patted her shoulder lightly.

Emma nodded as soon as Mary Margaret gave her a warm approving smile, "Go, sweetheart. We'll be right here."

Regina was holding their baby, as her hand lightly brushed his fragile head, her eyes gazing up towards the door as she heard it swing open, smiling happily at her wife, as Emma smiled back.

"Would you like to hold him?" the brunette asked her.

Emma walked up to the bed as Regina handed over their baby, placing him delicately in Emma's arms. Her tears were immediate, as she looked down at her son. She was amazed at how tiny he was, and so peaceful looking.

"Henry…" she whispered as she placed a loving and soft kiss on her baby's tiny, soft cheek, taking in that adoring baby smell of his at it hit her almost immediately. "We are going to love you so much. And, I vow to you here and now that I always love you and your mom, even beyond the day I stop breathing. I will protect you and be here for you - always."

Regina's tears were quick to find their way out of her eyes as she gazed upon a most intimate and touching moment her wife and son were now sharing. It was then and there she knew, that Emma would never again doubt her over anyone or anything in the world. They loved each other above and beyond all things and that was something she would always make sure their baby would grow to see.