A/N: Pro-tip: don't rush yourself when using a mandoline. You slice open your hand and bleed all over the potatoes and then have to write chapters one-handed. You're welcome PS for suffering through it and typing this out.

Henry opened the door to the mansion, dropping his duffel bag in the entrance as he unlaced his shoes. He then closed the door behind him, strolling over to the living room where he could hear his ma's voice. He walked in the door, smile settling on his face as he took in the sight of his mom practically sitting in his ma's lap, a book on her thighs.

"Henry. You're just in time. Come sit."

Henry did as instructed, eyebrows rising when he noticed just what book it was they were reading.

"My storybook? Why are you reading this? It's totally biased and makes mom look horrible. She's not as bad as they make her out to be in here. Plus, she's good now and that book doesn't show that."

Regina looked up at her son and smiled, tugging on his hand so he'd sit next to her. She kissed his cheek, warmed at his vehement defense of her character.

"I fixed the ending, kid. No worries. We're getting to the good part now. Your mom just saved me from the Dark One's curse 'cause she's the smartest person ever. And," Emma said, turning the page to reveal a picture of the three of them smiling at the camera, "Everything is back to normal now. The two most bad ass women-"

"Language."

"The two most kick butt women – this does not have the same ring to it, Regina (too bad, comes the wry reply) pool their talents to raise the most amazing son ever." Emma flipped the page again, showing a picture of Henry on his first day of grade eight.

"Oh God, ma. That is the worst picture ever."

"You look so handsome," Regina said proudly, tugging the book closer to Henry's lap. "Look at how young you are."

"I know, mom. I was there."

"Do not sass me," Regina said, poking her son in the side with her elbow. "I can still strike you over my knee."

"I'm way too tall for you to be able to do that."

"Would you like to bet on that?" Regina asked, eyebrow raised.

"No. So, about these pictures. There's more, I'm guessing."

Emma chuckled, reaching across Regina's lap to turn the page.

"Aw," she said, leaning her chin on Regina's shoulder. "The first team you joined as a high schooler."

In the photo, Henry stood before his moms, wearing his basketball jersey proudly.

"I sucked so bad back then."

"You tried your best though and that's all that matters," Regina responded.

"You're such a mom."

"Yes, I am."

They flipped through the next pages: Emma and Henry on a ride at the fair last year. Emma and Regina playing chess. The trio at the beach with Snow and David. And then Henry's school picture from last year.

Regina flipped the following page, knowing what was coming. Her stomach jumped nervously, and she cleared her throat as she read.

"The Saviour and her Queen were incredibly proud of many of their own life accomplishments, but those did not compare in the least to their proudest achievements of all…" Regina turned the page, the top of it boldly stating THEIR CHILDREN. To the left was a photo of Henry as a baby and directly beneath, his most recent high school picture. To the right was one of the pictures of the ultrasound, and beneath, an empty frame with the words "My picture is coming in 30 weeks" written inside.

Henry stared in shock, eyes glued to the black and white photo before him. His heart raced as he read the words at the top of the page and then glanced back down at the ultrasound photo, eyes wide. Mother: Regina Mills. Weeks: 9. And it was dated from just last week.

"You're not serious."

Regina's stomach plummeted, her son's tone leaving her to wonder what exactly it was he was thinking. He didn't seem angry or upset, but he didn't sound happy either.

"Totally serious," Emma cut in, reaching beside her to grab the shirt that she had hidden in between the couch cushions. She handed it to her son, who was still staring at the ultrasound photo. "Here."

Henry tore his eyes away, automatically grabbing the shirt that was placed in his hand. He shook it open, eyes widening again as he read the saying. This is what an awesome big brother looks like. Henry looked over at his mothers, his ma grinning widely as she revealed her shirt (The all amazing baby maker) and his mom, who was looking at him with apprehension.

"You're pregnant."

"I am," Regina said nervously. "Are you upset?"

"What? No. I'm in shock. I'm gonna be a brother. I didn't even know- were you guys trying?"

"Not exactly. It was… it was a surprise for us as well."

"A good one?" Henry asked carefully.

"Yes. A good one." Eventually. But Henry needn't know that part.

"A really good one," Emma said, grinning. "So what do you think, kid?"

"I'm gonna be a big brother."

"Yep."

"Holy shit," Henry finally said, grinning wildly. "I'm gonna be a big brother!"

Emma laughed at Henry's sudden excitement, the boy jumping off the couch and staring at them in disbelief. Regina, too relieved at Henry's joy, bit back her reprimand of his foul language.

"Seriously though. You're not kidding? I'm gonna be a big brother?"

"We aren't kidding," Regina said. "You are going to be a big brother."

"Holy shit," Henry repeated. "This is awesome! Do you know what it is yet? Is it a boy or a girl?"

"We aren't finding out."

Henry nodded, pacing in the living room, grin wide.

"Do grandma and grandpa know yet?"

"No. Well, unofficially, grandpa knows. But officially, they're both in the dark. We're going to tell them both officially in a couple of weeks."

"Okay. So I'm gonna be a big brother. I bet it's a girl. Grandma and grandpa just had a boy, so it should be a girl. I've already got a baby who's like a little brother. I could definitely go for a little sister now."

"You sure, kid? Little sisters can be annoying. I'm betting on a boy, but your mom won't let me find out for sure."

"It will be a surprise to all of us, and we will be happy whether it's a boy or a girl."

Henry nodded eagerly.

"Oh yeah. I don't care what it is. Or we could have one of each! A boy and a girl."

Regina's eyes grew wide. Emma laughed loudly.

"See! The kid thinks it should be twins too."

"I am not having twins, and I will send you both to an early grave if you continue to say that I am."

Henry laughed, quickly darting back to the couch and grabbing the book from his mothers.

"So this is the baby?" Henry asked, finger tracing over the picture of the ultrasound.

"Yes. Come here. Here is the baby's head, its body, and these are the arms. Emma, where are the other photos?"

"Right here," Emma said, reaching over for the envelope and passing it to Regina.

"Thank you."

Regina pulled out the other pictures, handing them to Henry and pointing out what he was looking at.

"This is the back of the baby's head. Here is the spine. You can see one arm here."

Henry stared, captivated. He flipped through the photos one after the other, unable to stop looking at them.

"And this… you and ma," Henry asked, looking at his mom, "you guys made this one? It wasn't like, you and someone else?"

"Your mother and I created this child together, yes."

Henry looked down at the picture, nodding. He was unable to stop the small pang of sadness and jealousy he felt. Regina noticed it right away, however, her hand coming up under his chin and turning his head so that he faced her.

"This baby may be related to both of us biologically, Henry, but you are just as much my child as this one is. I fed you, I clothed you, I changed every single one of your diapers, I cared for you when you were ill, I handled every one of your tantrums. It was just you and I for a decade, and no bond will ever compare to the one you and I share. And as for you and your mother, well. I believe it goes without saying that you are one and the same. Never in my life have I ever met a mother and child so similar."

Henry grinned then, sharing a mischievous smile with his ma.

"Two peas in a pod, kid. This baby might be half me and half your mom, but it'll never get the undivided attention you got from us. It'll never have us all to itself like you did. And it's definitely never gonna take the place you have in both our hearts. You're always gonna be our first born. Plus, studies have shown the oldest kid is the smartest. So you kinda owe this kid 'cause without it, you're just an only child and not the smartest anymore."

"Emma Swan, do not tell my unborn child that it is not intelligent."

"Whoa. Never said that. I just implied it was not as intelligent. Big difference."

Henry laughed, looking back down at the pictures in his hands.

"A little brother or sister, huh? How long?"

"The tech said our due date is May 15th."

"That's so far from now," Henry complained.

Emma chuckled.

"Yeah, but it's gonna come fast."

"So this is why you were so sick," Henry said with sudden realisation, looking up at his mother. "You had morning sickness."

"I did. I still do most mornings."

"Is this…" Henry paused. "You're ten weeks pregnant. Last month or like month and a half ago… is this why you guys had that fight? Because you were pregnant?"

Emma shifted uncomfortably, Regina reaching out and placing a firm hand on her knee. She squeezed it, looking at her son.

"It was a big shock to us and we both needed some time to digest. We weren't planning on having a child. Or, at least not so soon. We hadn't discussed children. So it was a great shock to us both when we realised I was pregnant. But we've taken the time that we've needed and we're both happy. Right?"

"So excited," Emma agreed, smiling encouragingly. "Nervous, yeah. But excited."

"It must have been a shock," Henry said, still looking at the ultrasound. "I mean, it is for me and I'm just the brother. I can't believe it. So is ma gonna move in then?"

"We're… going to take things slowly, as ironic as it is to say that now that I'm pregnant. She may move in in the future. We haven't decided yet."

Henry nodded his understanding, looking over at his mom's belly.

"Are you showing yet?" He asked. He couldn't tell with her sitting and he hadn't noticed any weight gain previously. Then again, he hadn't exactly been looking.

"A little bit," Regina said, standing up and pulling her shirt tight. "But it's barely noticeable."

"Yeah, I can't really tell," Henry admitted, tilting his head as he looked at his mom. "It just looks like you maybe ate too much for supper."

Regina laughed, sitting down next to her son.

"I love you, my little prince."

"Love you too, mom. So I'm gonna be a big brother."

"Yes, and it'll happen sooner than you think."

Henry nodded, looking over at his ma and chuckling as he read her t-shirt again.

"Nice shirt, ma. You going to wear that to tell grandma and grandpa?"

"Nope. Haven't figured out how I'm gonna tell them yet though. We have to come up with something good."

Henry nodded conspiratorially.

"Oh yeah. Let's call this one Operation Ciconia." At his ma's expression, he sighed and clarified. "It means 'stork' in Latin. Come on, ma. Pick up a book."

"Yeah, sure. Let me just pick up the book of dead languages and start reading that for pleasure. I'll get right on that."

Henry looked at his mom.

"It's too late for me, but I hope for the baby's sake that your genes are dominant."

Regina simply threw her head back and laughed.

So... who's on board for Operation Ciconia?