I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
5: Good Shock
Married life was not much different than what Regina and Emma had built together, even with Regina having to go into the office a couple of days out of the week. Emma worked on her cooking skills, wanting to give Regina a break on cooking when she went in. On days when Regina went to work, she drove everyone where they needed to be before going into the office. They all liked the extra time together and the commute worked out well. They liked being together, being a family. Regina never believed something like that would be possible.
Beyond that, Regina and Emma tended to do household chores together whenever they could. They cleaned together, but often chose separate rooms to do it in. Regina could not stand to watch Emma doing it wrong and rarely restrained herself from saying so. Henry tried to help to avoid being left out, but usually only cleaned his room. Of course, that was more than what most children did, so Regina was quite happy with that.
They had their usual family movie nights and game nights. They did activities on weekends. It was all quite domestic. Like a dream for both Regina and Emma. It was everything they could ask for. A nice calm existence. So, of course, things could not stay like that for long.
Regina was late and since it was little over a month after a very active honeymoon, she could guess why. She sat in the bathroom in the early hours of the morning, rubbing her hands together as she waited. Her stomach in knots. This was not supposed to happen so early. She had not even really stopped taking her birth control. She just missed a few days every now and then.
"We didn't even talk about this," Regina sighed. Well, they had, but in an abstract sense. Emma would be happy, but this would take them well off of their plan. Well, her plan. And this was her fault.
I shouldn't look at it as a fault. I mean, we want this. Then, why was she so nervous? She rubbed her hands together again and her stomach folded in on itself. This was too much too soon. Or maybe it's nothing. It's not like I haven't been late before. Of course, before it was due to massive stress. And maybe that's what this is. Stress from such big changes in her life, even if they were good.
"Regina?" Emma's groggy voice came from their bedroom.
"I'm just in the bathroom," Regina replied. She had not expected to be here so long, but she got lost in her head.
Emma opened the door to their ensuite, rubbing her eye with the heel of her hand. "I rolled over and you were gone…" She sounded like a lost child and it hurt Regina's chest. She could imagine the brief moment of panic Emma experienced that probably made it impossible to fall back to sleep.
"I just…" Regina could not lie about this, but she wanted to be sure before she said anything to Emma. "I just…" She grabbed the stick off of the sink counter and held it up.
Emma squinted and stepped closer. "What am I looking at?"
Regina could not fault Emma for not being able to figure this out at two in the morning and being taken from her sleep. "Pregnancy test."
"Pregnancy test?" Emma echoed like she had never heard of such a thing and then she gasped. Her eyes sparkled as they went wide. Sleep was a thing of the past for the moment. "You're pregnant?" Her voice was hopeful. She stepped over.
"Maybe? I'm pretty late and I've missed my birth control every now and then," Regina replied.
Emma sat at Regina's feet. "Holy crap. Why didn't you tell me?"
Regina shrugged, like it was no big deal, but this was huge. This was definitely life changing. "I wanted to be sure. I didn't want to get your hopes up over nothing."
Emma rubbed Regina's knees, pushing her red slip up a little. "But, you did this by yourself late at night. Are you okay?" She kissed Regina's thigh.
Regina blew out a breath. Tell her the truth. She's there for you. There was no reason to be nervous, but her stomach twisted just the same. "I messed up. I've never been so careless about birth control before." She shook her head.
She allowed herself to be distracted now. Before, if she missed birth control, it could mean carrying the child of a stranger or worse the child of someone who wanted to terrorize her. It would also mean having to work harder to care for a second child. With Emma in her life, that pressure was gone.
Emma kissed her thigh, doing her best to soothe Regina. Regina wanted to cry. There was a person in the world who cared if she was calm. She never would have thought or dared wish for someone like this after Daniel died, yet here Emma was.
"It's okay. We wanted another child, after all," Emma said.
"Not so soon, though." Regina's voice cracked.
Emma smiled and caressed Regina's knees once more. "It doesn't matter to me."
Regina leaned down, pressing their foreheads together. "I know. I just would've rather settled into our new life a little more. Plus, we don't really have the space for a baby yet."
"So, we'll get space. We were planning to move, anyway."
Regina melted with each answer. Emma was making this so easy. Why was she even bothered again? Life was never this easy.
"How are you like this?" Regina asked in a low voice.
Furrow lines wrinkled Emma's forehead. "Like what?"
"So perfect. I was ready to fall apart over this not going according to plan and you're just so easygoing and making this so easy."
Emma chuckled. "Babe, my life has never had a plan to go with. It's always one surprise after the next, but lately, all the surprises have been good, wanted. This — if it's positive — is good and wanted. We just have to work with it, like we worked with our relationship. That's what we do. We work with each other to make things better."
Regina nodded. "You're quite coherent for someone woken up randomly at two in the morning." She ran her hands through Emma's sleep tossed hair. It helped ground her.
"You're in distress at two in the morning and possibly growing our family." More knee rubs. "It's a wake up call if ever there was one." A grin spread across Emma's face.
"I'm sorry. And please don't think I'm upset that I might be pregnant." That was far from the case.
Shaking her head, Emma let loose another light laugh. "I know it's more about how this isn't how you planned it than anything else. Plans can change, Regina. Nothing is set in stone. We'll be fine because we have each other. Together, we're a force."
Regina managed a smile. "You're right. It's just so much at once." They had only just gotten married. Emma was adopting Henry. Regina was going to work, in a freaking office. Henry had to adjust to having two married parents as well as the idea of being adopted, so people would stop trying to confuse him on how his family worked. And now, a baby!
"Because you're trying to carry it alone. I'm here, too. I'm always here." Emma sat up enough to give her a sweet, reassuring kiss.
The sigh that escaped Regina took away some of the tension wrapped around her stomach. "This is why I'm happy you're adopting Henry. I know he'll always be all right with you."
Emma grinned. "And this possible second kid?"
"Let me check." She had been too nervous to look before, but before she was alone. Except, she was never alone. Not with Emma as her partner. She took a deep breath and dared to look at the test results. She exhaled, a shaky laugh escaping her. "So, I guess you're gonna be a daddy." She turned the test for Emma to see.
Emma gasped and then laughed, sounding like bells and joy. She wasted no time gathering Regina up in her arms and kissed Regina like this was the greatest thing to ever happen to them. Regina relaxed against her, returning the kiss. Things suddenly felt very okay. No, more than okay. Things felt right.
"I know it's sooner than planned, but I'm so damn happy about this," Emma said.
Regina sniffled. "I knew you would be."
Emma squeezed her around her middle. "And I know this is fast, but we'll handle it. We're in this together."
"I know." She just needed to be reminded.
"And I know you're about to start revising your plan, but can we do that in the morning? We both need sleep."
"You're right." There was no need to worry or reason to start manically planning for anything. They could do this together. So, she allowed Emma to pick her up, emotionally speaking anyway.
Regina put the test in the trash, washed her hands, and her face. She felt clear. Emma led her back to bed and wrapped herself around Regina the moment they laid down, as if to protect Regina and their unborn child from the world. Regina felt like nothing bad could get her and fell back to sleep with ease.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma woke up earlier than she wanted to, especially since it was Saturday. She glanced down at Regina, who clung to her like a lifeline, which let her know what happened in the middle of the night was not a dream. Regina was pregnant, with her baby. They were pregnant. Whoa.
Regina had flipped Emma's world upside down several times since meeting, but this might be the biggest and best one yet. And the scariest. Regina might have been joking, but Emma was about to be a "father." A second parent… to a baby.
With Henry, things were different. She stepped into his life when he was seven. He was able to tell her his wants and needs. He was able to articulate if she did something he disliked. He was able to correct her if she misstepped. A baby would not be able to do that. If she messed up with a baby, that could ruin the kid for the rest of their life.
She could not help thinking of Leopold and how he sought to control her life. Him being in her life wrecked things and him not being in her life wrecked things. Was that all a parent could do? Her mother was not much better, preferring her own vices to Emma's needs. I would never…
She would never be like either of them. She had proven that with Henry. She was interested in his life, interested in him for just the quirky kid he was. But, again, Henry was already old enough to voice his opinion. A baby could not do that.
"You're thinking very loud," Regina commented, eyes still closed.
"Didn't mean to wake you," Emma replied.
"Simply returning the favor as soon as possible." Regina looked up at her. "Are you all right?"
"Just… am I ready to take care of a baby?"
"Well, one, the test could be wrong. We don't know for sure, but regardless we do plan on having at least one more child, so it's a valid thought. And, like you told me last night, we're in this together. It's not just you. I'm here. We'll both be taking care of the baby, like we both take care of Henry."
Emma frowned a little. "You took care of Henry by yourself first. You did the hard work."
Regina laughed. "I love that you think the hard work is over because he's a whole eight years old. That's a lifetime project we've both signed on for, same with the next child. Will you make mistakes? Yes. I know you think I'm the perfect mother and Henry's the perfect child, but believe me, mistakes were made. I'm sure they're still being made. I did my best and now we're both doing our best. That's all we can do."
Emma nodded. "I don't… I don't want to be my parents."
"Understandable. I try everyday to not be my mother and sometimes I fear I fail. When I hear my words and my thoughts coming from Henry's mouth, I wonder if I forced them there. Even when you jokingly say he's me, I wince on the inside and pray for it not to be true. I don't want him to be me. I want him to be him."
Emma kissed Regina's forehead. "He is. You haven't forced him to be anything, except maybe clean."
"And you're going to be there for him and for our future child as well. You're not going to throw money at them to make them go away."
A snicker escaped Emma. "Mostly because I don't have money to throw at anyone."
Now, Regina kissed her cheek. "You have enough. You're going to spend time with the baby, just like you do with Henry, and shower them both in attention. They'll both look back at their childhoods and see nothing but you being there for them, there with them."
Emma sniffled. "Thank you for that."
Regina kissed her cheek once more. "No need to ever thank me. I know the idea of being a parent is scary, but you're already doing a good job. You'll do fine this next time around."
Emma blew out a breath. "I really hope so. I don't want to mess up this kid, like my parents messed me up."
"My love, your parents might have not been great, but they didn't mess you up because you raised yourself right."
And now Emma grinned. She had more than just her biological parents for examples of what she did not want to do as a parent, just like she had tons of examples from adults on what she did not want to be when she grew up. She had done her best to avoid being like a lot of people she met, especially the people who hurt her. She never wanted to hurt anyone like that because she knew how it felt. Why would she want to pass along that pain?
"I'm gonna go for a run before we go down to Granny's for Saturday breakfast, okay?" Emma was up, might as well make the most of it.
"All right. I might as well make sure we have everything ready for this picnic. We have to stop letting Henry try everything he thinks is cool from a movie," Regina said.
Emma scoffed. "Are you kidding? This lets me try stuff I thought was cool from movies when I was a kid. I'll always back Henry's media fueled ideas." She laughed as she kissed Regina one last time before getting out of bed.
"I should've known you had an ulterior motive. I should also make a doctor's appointment to confirm…"
"You want me to go?"
"If you want."
Emma's grin was back. "You know I do. Don't worry about the day. If necessary, I'll leave work early."
"All right." Regina turned over, like she would try to go back to sleep. That was fine by Emma. Now, to go on a run and, hopefully, clear her thoughts.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina got out of bed by the time Emma was gone. She checked on their picnic supplies to make sure everything was in order, even though she had done that last night. It was just, last night she was a little preoccupied. It was nothing noticeable and from what she could see, she had done a good job.
With that done, she went through her morning rituals before Henry bounded up with all the energy of an eight-year-old ready for his next adventure. She put on her jeans and a light blue button-down shirt. She stepped back into the living room, only to realize she never made her doctor's appointment. She should do that while she had a moment.
Picking up her phone from the kitchen counter, Regina opened the app to make her appointment and just as she was about to touch the keyboard, there was an incoming call. Mother. She almost answered the phone, but instead dropped it like it burned her hand. Her heart leaped into her throat, beating faster than was healthy. She almost answered the phone. Mother called and she almost answered it.
Why was Mother calling? Did she know? How could she possibly know? Regina just took a home pregnancy test less than eight hours ago, so how could Mother possibly know?
"Regina?" Who is that? It was Emma's voice, but it sounded so far away. Plus, Emma went for a run to clear her head. "Regina, I'm gonna hug you, okay?"
Regina was not sure why someone would say that, why they would say that with Emma's voice. Then, next thing she knew, she was wrapped up in strong arms. Familiar arms. She turned to bury her face in Emma's neck. Emma's sweaty neck.
"You okay, babe?" Emma asked.
"I…" Regina took a breath. It felt like she had not breathed in forever, so she took a few more. "I almost answered a call from my mother."
"What?"
"I was going to make my doctor's appointment and she called as I was going to press something, so I almost answered. Emma, what if she knows?"
Emma kissed the top of her head. "She doesn't know. And even if she did, she's not going to take an interest in the kid beyond trying to torment you."
That was true. Cora was a terrible mother, but a nonexistent grandmother. She had tried to use Henry to control Regina, but never actively tried to harm him, beyond forcing his mother into prostitution anyway. Still, there was no real reason to panic. Besides, there was no way Mother knew.
"And your mother can only torment you if you give her that power, Regina. You've stopped giving her that power," Emma said.
Regina nodded. "You're right." She released another soft exhale. "You're absolutely right."
Emma let her go and took a step back, as if studying Regina. That gave Regina a chance to take Emma in and allowed her mind to switch gears. Emma had on a white tank top and her gray joggers. Well, she had gone running, got a nice glow, and looked like an absolute snack. This shouldn't be a turn on!
"That was a quick run," Regina said.
Emma shook her head. "No, same time as always. I gotta go get showered. Henry'll be out here in, like, ten minutes."
"Are you… are you going to wear more sweatpants?"
A filthy grin spread onto Emma's face and she bit her bottom lip. "Do you want me to wear sweatpants?" She invaded Regina's space and pulled Regina close by sticking her fingers through the belt loops on Regina's jeans.
Regina managed a sneer. "Only because you'll probably be running around with Henry and whatever townies catch your attention."
"Like you?" Emma's grin grew.
Regina did not dignify that. Emma chuckled and kissed the corner of Regina's mouth before disappearing into their bedroom. Henry was out in ten minutes, back-pack on his back, hat on his head, and ready for a day at Cheshire Park. Emma was out ten minutes after Henry, dressed almost exactly the same way as when she went for her run, but now with a matching zipper hoodie. She smirked at Regina as they loaded Emma's car for their day. While Regina was hardly a fan of Emma's so-called car, four-wheeled wagon was closer to the truth, they all thought taking the Benz for a picnic seemed a bit much.
No matter what their Saturday plans were, they always had breakfast at Granny's. Ruby did not work on the weekend, but they would see her when they went to the park, as she usually made her way through there unless she had plans, much like them. They never had a shortage of people to talk to, though. This never would have entered Regina's mind until Emma. Now, she had brief conversations with some people who she did not even know their names. Emma and Henry did the same.
The park was no different. They found a shady tree, Emma carried the picnic cooler while Regina and Henry set up the blanket. Then, Emma and Henry were off while Regina usually read a book or worked. Today, she still had to make her doctor's appointment, so she did that the second she was alone.
Before she could tap into work, Ruby of all people sat down next to her. At first, she thought Ruby was looking for Emma, but then Ruby pulled out her phone. She wanted to show Regina her budget, which Regina helped her work out. Regina had done that with all of Emma's friends, as well as helped Granny with some finances in her businesses. Granny really was a marvel and she probably would have done well as a financial advisor in Mist Haven if she had ever tried.
"So, based on what I've saved the last few months, do you think I could splurge a little? I want to buy my girlfriend something really nice," Ruby said.
Regina waved her off. "The whole point of sticking to your budget is that it allows you money left over for just such a thing. Buy her something nice. What's the occasion?"
"Birthday."
"Then, by all means, go for it."
Ruby nodded. "Emma's birthday is coming soon, right?"
"A couple of months."
"Any plans?" Ruby asked with a grin.
"Does she have you snooping for her? She won't get a surprise party at this rate."
Ruby laughed. "You know she doesn't want that! I'll be sure to tell her you saw right through me. If it makes you feel any better, my girlfriend really does have a birthday coming up and you helping me make this budget really came through for me to get her something nice."
Regina smiled. "I'm happy."
Ruby trotted off, undoubtedly going to report back to Emma that her mission failed. Regina already knew what she wanted to do for Emma's birthday, but now she was thinking about budgets and for once they had nothing to do with work. She had to rework the household budget if they were going to have a baby. Well, time to start making a list. Eventually, when Emma needed a break, and some water, they could discuss it when she and Henry came back to the picnic cooler.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma sat at her desk at work, doing her best to focus on paperwork and not check out the real estate market of Storybrooke. She and Regina had yet to discuss the possible baby, but Emma could tell it was already weighing on Regina. Regina wanted to be sure, so she made a doctor's appointment. Unfortunately, that appointment was two days away. Emma would go crazy by then because she could see it was driving Regina crazy.
Beyond Regina being haunted by almost answering a call from her mother on Saturday, Emma had watched her go over the household budget the entire weekend. Every now and then, it looked like Regina wanted to show her, but changed her mind at the last minute. She also caught Regina making a list of things they would need for the baby. That one she at least commented on, saying she would share it when she was done. But, the weekend was not long enough. Regina was already caught up in this idea of a baby and Emma wanted to be there when she was ready to talk about it.
So, regardless of what the doctor said, Emma wanted to be a little more proactive and make things easier for Regina. She was more than aware Regina wanted to move into a house before they had another kid. Eventually, they would have to move. Could they afford that right now? She doubted she could. Storybrooke deputies did not make much. Hell, Sheriff Humbert did not make much.
How much would she fall short for a proper home for her family? Curiosity won out. She had to look and see if this dream was ever something she could attain.
Opening a real estate website on the computer, She searched "Storybrooke, Enchanted Forest" and groaned immediately. Two bedroom houses were out of her price range, so never mind three or more. What the hell am I supposed to do? How do other people afford homes?
"Hey, Mulan," Emma said to her fellow deputy, Mulan Hua, desk right next to hers.
"Yes?" Mulan answered without looking up from her computer. She was probably actually working, but sometimes she played MMORPGs. She was good at hiding it, but Emma was nosy on a good day. Mulan never seemed to mind. Hell, Mulan showed her the ropes for her first few weeks on the job.
"You have a house in Storybrooke, right?"
Mulan scoffed and glanced up at her to look at her as if she was out of her mind. "No. Why would I have a house? I am but one person."
"Don't you have a girlfriend?"
"Yes, but we've only been seeing each other for a couple of months. No need to rush out and buy a house just yet. Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering how people afford houses."
"Through a number of different ways. I believe through our jobs we get first time home buyers assistance."
Emma did not know what that was, but it sounded good. "Any other tips?"
"Are you planning to buy a house soon?"
"Possibly. Regina wants a house before we have another kid, so I'm trying to wrap my mind around it and trying to figure it out."
Mulan nodded. "Try Graham. I think he has a house, but he might rent."
Emma nodded, since he was her next stop anyway. At times like this, her coworkers seemed so much more together than she did. She might be street smart, but it was hard adjusting to the regular world.
Graham was not helpful. He inherited his father's house. At lunch, she asked Ruby, even though Ruby lived at her grandmother's bed and breakfast. Ruby had nothing. She was just as bad as Emma, not even knowing where to begin.
"Maybe Ashley. She's got a whole husband and kid, after all," Ruby suggested. Worth a shot.
"We're staying with Sean's dad until we can afford a place of our own," Ashley explained. Damn it.
Emma was running out of friends and it was not like she could ask her sister. Snow was given her house as a wedding present and even if that were not the case, Snow still had more money than God to throw around. Snow could easily afford a house, no salary needed.
Even if Emma tapped her allowance, which she did not want to do, she still did not have enough money for a house. She had only just gotten the allowance back a few months ago. And, despite what Snow and Regina said, Emma did not want to touch that money from Leopold. It was one thing to use the money for her honeymoon where she spent a week fucking the woman he tried to buy away from her. It was another thing to need his stupid money to support her family. Just no way in Hell she could do it.
But, she also could not afford to take care of her family on her own. She had to figure something out, had to be able to pull her weight. Leopold would never be allowed to laud that money over her.
"Emma, are you all right?" Regina asked.
Emma blinked. Where did Regina come from? Before asking, Emma looked around. She was at home, not at work or even at the diner. When did that happen?
"Emma, are you all right?" Regina repeated.
Emma pursed her lips. "Maybe not. I don't remember coming home."
"Thankfully, I picked you up from work today. You've been zoned out the whole time."
Emma frowned. "Sorry. Just a lot on my mind."
Regina glanced down the hallway at Henry's room, where Henry probably was. "Is this about our appointment?"
"Kinda."
Regina sat down next to her on the sofa and took her hand. "Tell me what troubles you. We can work it together, like were supposed to."
Emma nodded. That was what they were supposed to do. She literally just told Regina that, but she wanted to take care of her family. But, you're not in this alone. Lean on her like she does you. "Houses."
Regina's brow wrinkled. "What about them?"
"I can't afford one."
Regina chuckled. "Not on your salary, no."
Emma withered. "Well, if the appointment goes how we think—"
"We'll have to buy a house, not just you."
Emma blinked. Okay, that was true. "But, there's no way I have enough saved up for even half of a house and I can't use that allowance money again. That money is definitely for our kids."
"Okay." A small smile settled on Regina's face, like she was relieved.
"Just okay?" Emma expected a fight over the money. How else would they afford a house so soon?
"Emma, I know how you feel about that money and I respect what you want to do with it. There are other ways. Besides, we have to consider how we can get a house and not attract my mother's attention. She's been uninterested in us because she views you as a joke, but if it looks like we're happy, she'll bite, even if she doesn't know about the baby. She just doesn't want me to be happy."
"So, what should we do?" Emma was not sure what would prompt Cora to come out, having only met her once. Cora was thoroughly unimpressed with Emma and swore Regina would have to come crawling back to her soon enough, even though she was the one calling Regina constantly. Emma would never let Regina go back to someone who made her feel insignificant and only saw her as a tool.
"Let's take it one step at a time." Regina patted her thigh. "First, we confirm our appointment and then we sit down and map out how things might go."
"I've noticed you already mapping things out."
Regina nodded. "I know. I'm sorry if that's been making you nervous. You know I just need to be organized. I worried about messing up the original plan, so I've been trying to make another for my peace of mind before I bring you in. But, you're worrying about being behind before we've even gotten anywhere. We're in a good place."
Emma pouted. "You sure?"
"Positive. Like you told me, we have each other. Together, we're a force." Regina kissed her cheek.
Emma sighed and curled into Regina for a moment. That was true. She was worked up from trying to make things easier for Regina, but making things harder for herself. Yes, Regina did like to organize her own thoughts before she brought things up to Emma and then got Emma's thoughts. They would work things out together. Henry popped up a minute later and cuddled into both of them on the couch. Emma could not help smiling.
"Everything all right here?" Henry asked.
"Yup, just fine," Emma replied as she gave him a squeeze. It was the truth. Still, Regina ended up making one of Emma's favorite meals for dinner. It should be illegal for lasagna to taste so good.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina could not move and this was probably not the best place for it. She sat in the doctor's office, Emma holding her hand, just as stunned as Regina. Somehow, the official response was so much greater than a store bought test.
"Seven weeks," Regina managed to say.
"That's really early," Emma replied. She was just repeating the doctor.
"What can I say? I'm usually right on time… and I already knew I was being irresponsible about my birth control," Regina had said as much to the doctor. It sounded like an apology, even to her. Though I'm not the least bit sorry about this.
Emma kissed the side of her head. "I'm glad you thought something was up and you checked. This is awesome. We might want to get out of here before they kick us out, though."
"I don't think I'm okay to drive." Honestly, she was not sure if she was okay to stand. She was pregnant. Pregnant with Emma's baby. This had to be some kind of dream. She could not feel her legs, doubted she had control over any part of her.
"I got you, babe." Emma kissed her cheek.
Emma helped her to her feet and held her up as she stood. They had to make another appointment, which thankfully Emma handled. Emma even helped her into the passenger side of her car. Usually, she would not trust Emma to drive her Benz, having seen how Emma drove her Bug, but there was no way for Regina to drive. Hell, Regina might not even be able to blink.
"Regina, are you okay?" Emma asked, not turning the car on. Her voice quivered.
"I am. I'm… amazed," Regina replied, her voice barely there, but that was the truth. She was in shock, but in a good way. I didn't realize how much I wanted this. Now, she could hardly comprehend how much she wanted this.
Emma smiled and grabbed Regina's hand. She kissed Regina's knuckles and Regina could feel a blush burn her face. This should not make her feel damn near giddy, but it did. Emma was so in love with her and she was so in love with Emma.
"I'm gonna take us someplace where we can talk," Emma said.
All Regina could do was nod. Emma drove them to Cheshire Park, which was not too far away. She pulled into a spot that gave them a view of the lake. She did not let go of Regina's hand. Silence blanketed the car for a long moment.
"I'm really happy about this. I know it might seem like I'm not, but I'm really happy. So damn happy," Regina said.
Emma nodded. "Me, too. I get it, actually. I'm shocked and amazed. I mean, you're having my baby. You!" She motioned to Regina with the hand she was not holding. "You're incredible and way too good for me, but you've decided to bless me by having my kid."
Regina scoffed. "You can't possibly believe I'm too good for you."
"Babe, go with it because you are and you're having my baby. You've created a family with me. Two damn kids, Regina. Two!" Emma jumped in her seat as she held up two fingers.
Regina smiled. "You've also given me family. I never thought I'd have more than Henry until you stumbled into my life and I almost ruined that."
"Don't think about that. Think about how we have a kid on the way. What are we gonna tell Henry? I mean, we already kinda prepared him for this, but now it's happening!" Emma was loud, but Regina could not bring herself to mention it.
"We can tell him at dinner if you want. I'd rather we wait to tell anyone else, though, just in case," Regina replied.
Emma's brow wrinkled. "In case what?"
"Well, anything can happen. Miscarriages especially early on," Regina pointed out. "No reason to get anyone invested in case…"
Emma frowned. "I guess."
"Give it a few more weeks. I know you want to shout it from the mountain tops." Regina would not mind doing a little shouting herself.
Emma sat up tall. "I really do. I gotta tell everyone at work."
"Again, please, give it a few more weeks. Let's make sure Henry is all right with everything and we definitely have to make a plan now." Regina could not just free style things when it came to children. Children deserved stability.
Emma nodded. "Yeah, cuz this kid and Henry deserve a yard."
Regina chuckled. "Among other things." She took a deep breath. "We're okay, right?"
"Of course we are. This is what we wanted, just a little sooner than we thought. And, everything else, we can still do that, right?"
"Yes. I know you're worried over the house, but we'll figure it out. There are so many options."
Emma sighed and smiled. "That's good. I mean, I'd use the allowance money if we really needed it, but I don't want to. I don't want his money building our life."
"It's your money, Emma. He owes you."
"And it'll kill him the second he realizes I don't fucking need it." That was probably true. Nothing would tear Leopold up more than finding out there was a problem he could not sweet talk his way out or throw money at it.
Regina smirked. "I'm sure he'll love it when he finds out I'm pregnant."
"Oh, I'd love to see his reaction. I'd finally get to deck him because I know he's going to call you all sorts of bad names like the bastard he is. Can you imagine how confused he'll be to find out the baby is biologically mine?" Emma laughed.
Regina nodded. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it." Sighing, she leaned back in her seat. "This is real, right? I haven't just imagined you, right?"
"I wonder the same thing a lot. You know what's funny? Hiring you had been me saying 'fuck you' to Leopold and look how far we've gone."
Regina could not help laughing. "And somehow this is still somewhat of a fuck you to him."
"Well, because fuck him. But, I love you so much. I love our family and I love this life. If I could go back in time and tell younger me that we end up like this, I'd tell her just endure it because life gets sweet eventually."
"I'd tell my younger self the same."
Emma leaned over and kissed Regina. Regina returned the kiss with more vigor than was appropriate for being in the park. As they broke apart, Regina checked the time.
"We have three hours before we have to get Henry. Take me home, Emma," Regina said. Emma wasted no time complying.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: telling Henry and more worrying over a house.