My New Beginning: Part 3

Chapter 24 Here Come the Twins

-January 31st 8:30 pm-

David, Henry, and Snow walked into my room and noticed Sarah hooking a new bag to my IV.

Henry was beginning to worry. "Mom, Ma, what's going on?"

"Your little sister and brother are coming early kiddo," Emma began then Snow questioned, "What? Why?"

I decided to explain. "There is a tear in the sacks. Since I arrived yesterday, the tear grew in size by two inches. Dr. Fabin is concerned and is inducing me."

"Are the twins going to be alright?" Henry was concerned, and Emma replied, "That's why the doctor is inducing. She wants to make sure your little sister and brother are fine, and nothing is medically wrong."

There was a noise on one of the monitors. Sarah walked in and checked the monitor then she ran to the door and called out, "Dr. Fabin!"

Emma and I exchanged worried glances then Sarah walked back to the monitor.

"Sarah, what's going on?" I asked, and Sarah didn't answer.

I raised my voice. "Sarah, either tell me what's wrong now or I will torch your ass into the middle of next week!"

Sarah turned to look at me with a worried expression. "The twins' heart rate is dropping."

My heart sank then Dr. Fabin arrived looking at the monitor.

"Lower the Pitocin drip. It is too high causing the babies to go into distress. Slow it down, and if that doesn't work, I will come to break her water so it can speed up the process."

Sarah lowered the drip and monitored the heart rates. They slowly began to increase, and Sarah smiled. "It's alright, Regina. You can breathe. Their heart rates are back to normal."

I breathed a sigh of relief, and Emma mouthed "thank you" to Sarah before she walked out of the room.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

-February 1st midnight-

Somewhere in Dreamland-

Emma and I noticed how terrible our meeting place was. It looked like a forest fire scorched some of the forest, and a bad wind storm had hit the rest.

"Emma, I hope they are alright."

"Me, too."

The twins called out, "Ma! Mommy!"

We walked quickly to where we heard their voices and the two of them were on the ground in pain. Emma took Hope and I took Michael in our arms.

Emma was the first one to speak. "What happened here?"

"That's what the medicine did just a little while ago." Michael said then Hope held on to Emma. "Ma, it was scary."

"It's alright, baby girl," Emma kissed the top of her head then kissed Michael's. "You're alright now. Everything is going to be fine."

When Emma said fine, the thunder clasped startling everyone.

Michael looked up at me. "It's the medicine again. I don't like it."

Hope replied, "Me neither."

"My darlings, it will be alright. Very soon, you will be in my arms," I soothed my daughter and son then Emma added, "And you will hear my voice the moment the two of you arrive."

They smiled then it started raining on Michael and me, but not on Emma and Hope. The four of us tried talking to each other but couldn't hear what the others were saying. I watched Emma talking to Hope then she kissed the top of her daughter's head then disappeared then reappeared on the same side as Michael and me.

"Ma! It hurts!"

Emma looked at me. "Water broke and now contractions."

I nodded and exhaled then Michael replied, "I'm sorry, Mommy."

I kissed my son's forehead. "It's all worth it, my little prince. It's time."

Michael nodded then I disappeared then reappeared to Hope's side.

"Mommy, I'm scared."

I poured my heart out to my daughter. "I know, sweetheart, I'm scared too. We have Ma that will be there with us every step of the way."

Hope looked up at me. "We don't want to hurt you."

I smiled and hugged her. "Oh my darling, sometimes good things in life come after a lot of pain."

I lifted my daughter's chin so I could look at her. She had tears in her eyes knowing what was about to happen.

"It's time," I smiled, and she slowly nodded.

"I love you, Mommy."

I smiled, "I love you, too, sweetheart."

After I kissed her, everything went black.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

-February 1st Storybrooke Hospital 3:00 am-

"Is everything alright?"

"Since Baby A's placenta broke, we are stopping the Pitocin drip and let labor progress naturally. The twins didn't enjoy the Pitocin drip because their heart rates would drop every time the Pitocin would drip then returned to normal when it didn't."

I groaned then my hand moved to rest on my swollen abdomen. My breathing got shallower due to the pain of the contractions.

"My water broke didn't it?" I groaned then Emma replied, "Yeah, it did."

"Mmmmm…" I groaned in pain as I tried to breathe through the contraction.

"While I am here, I'm going to check your progress," Dr. Fabin put on her gloves and went to check the cervix. "Wow! You are a good six and a half centimeters dilated. Want that epidural?"

I answered sarcastically, "Doctor if I have any more children after these two, you should automatically know that I want it."

Dr. Fabin laughed as she washed her hands and walked out of the room.

The anesthesiologist walked in, "Hello again, Madam Mayor. Are you ready to see me?"

I groaned in pain. "You better believe I am glad to see you. I don't want to feel this pain twice."

Emma helped me sit at the edge of the bed. I held on to Emma's arms, and our foreheads touched.

"Hey," Emma started, and I answered, "Hmm…"

Emma smiled, "I admire your strength. You, my darling, are one amazing woman and I'm so proud to call you my wife."

I took a deep breath then exhaled. "I am the one who's proud to call you my wife. You have done nothing but taken care of me, Henry, Katherine, and the twins then still had time to be the Sheriff who then became Deputy Mayor. Emma, it is your strength, determination, dedication, and love for your family and Storybrooke that I admire. You are one hell of a woman, and I am proud to be your wife."

"Alright, you're all done."

The anesthesiologist and Emma helped me get situated back in the bed then he walked out of the room. Emma began to text her parents.

I asked, "What did your mother have to say?"

"Henry has the flu," Emma decided to drop the bomb now instead of later then my eyes widened, "Please tell me they are not coming."

"I quickly told her to stay home along with dad and Henry that I didn't want to risk getting you, me, or the twins sick. She also said she loves you."

I smiled and exhaled.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

Dr. Fabin walked into the room at exactly six o'clock in the morning. She put on her gloves and got me to spread my legs so she could check my cervix. "Head is engaged in the birth canal, and you are nine centimeters dilated. We are going to roll you to the OR. By the time we get there, you will be fully dilated and ready to push."

Emma questioned, "Wait, why the OR?" Dr. Fabin explained, "With multiple babies being born naturally at 36 weeks, some complications could arise. I am just taking precautions. Now I am warning you before you go in, there will be more people in the room beside Sarah and me. There will be three extra nurses and three more doctors with me."

My face hardened. "I'm not going in a room where my private parts are on display where everyone gets a front row seat to my daughter and son's birth!"

"Madam Mayor, some problems can surface during the delivery. It could be one of the twins, and that is why a pediatric doctor will be there. Something could happen to you, so that is why Dr. Gus the other gynecologist will be there to assist me. A surgeon will also be there just in case you or the twins will have to have emergency surgery. I am doing this, so this delivery will be just as smooth as Katherine's. I know you are scared and you have every right to be. But now is not the time to let our pride get the best of what is happening."

I closed my eyes and tears ran down my face. I felt defeated and terrified.

"Emma put this on," Dr. Fabin handed Emma the surgical garb to put on before going in the OR, "Regina, let's get these twins delivered."

Sarah and another female nurse walked in and lifted the handles on the side of the bed. I reached out to Emma who just put on the pants.

Emma took my hand in hers. "It's alright. I'm following right behind you."

The nurses wheeled me off, and my hand slipped out of Emma's. This is it. Not much longer until a family of four becomes a family of six.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

When I was rolled into the OR and saw everyone in the room, my heart began to race. Where was Emma? She told me that she would be there.

"Sorry, I was having trouble with these booties staying on my feet."

I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard her voice then I reached for her hand. Emma took my hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. Sarah placed the oxygen nose piece in my nose.

"Just in case you need it," Sarah winked trying to calm me down, and I gave a weak smile.

Dr. Fabin went to check my cervix. "Fully dilated and I'm touching Baby A's head. When you feel the pressure, I want you to push."

I nodded and then felt the pressure. I took a deep breath and pushed.

Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10 and relax."

I did some deep breathing, and Emma gave me a reassuring squeeze of my hand. I felt pressure again, and I took a deep breath and began to push.

Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10 and relax."

I rested against the pillow and did some deep breathing exercises and Emma said, "You're doing great, babe."

Dr. Fabin instructed, "Alright Regina, one more push and Baby A will be here."

I felt the pressure and pushed.

Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…"

Dr. Fabin said, "And she's here. Relax Madam Mayor."

I rested against the pillow, but there was no cry. Emma quickly turned to see the baby.

I began to panic. "Why isn't she crying?"

No answer from Dr. Fabin or the other doctors.

"What's the matter with my baby?" I was starting to get hot.

Emma shushed me, and she went by Dr. Fabin.

"May I?"

Emma took the baby and began talking to her, "Hey baby girl, it's Ma. I told you it would be my voice you will hear when you enter the world."

Emma removed her glove, touched our daughter's chest, a golden glow shone from the blonde's hand then the baby cried. I smiled and rested my head against the pillow.

Emma gave the baby back to the doctor who cut the cord then was whisked away by two nurses to clean her up and weigh her. I asked, "How big is she?"

"She's so little but so beautiful."

I smiled, and Dr. Fabin collected the afterbirth then the placenta to the second baby broke.

"Ready Madam Mayor? Baby B is ready," Dr. Fabin questioned then I nodded.

I felt the pressure then began to push.

Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10 and relax."

I rested my head on the pillow and began my deep breathing.

Dr. Fabin turned to Dr. Gus. "Baby B is breech, but he is coming even when Regina is just breathing."

"Finish the delivery. The baby is coming without complications."

I felt the pressure and began to push.

Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10 and relax."

I rested my head against the pillow. I can feel my body was so tired and my strength was failing me, but I felt the pressure again. I started pushing.

Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…"

I couldn't push anymore. I was so tired that my whole body shook.

"Babe, what's going on?"

"Emma, I can't push anymore. My whole-body aches because it can't push another second."

Emma looked at Sarah. "Help me raise her."

Before I knew it, Emma was behind me. "Regina, listen to me. I'm going to help you. We got our magic. You are not giving up. Now, take a deep breath and push!"

Our fingers intertwined and I felt the magic course through me. I had newfound strength. I pushed.

Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…"

"Baby B is here! You can relax."

A faint cry was heard and I started crying.

Emma returned to my side. "They're here."

I smiled. "They're here."

Emma removed the surgical mask from her face revealing a smile, and she said, "Guess what?"

I furrowed my eyebrows and Emma kissed my forehead. "Happy Birthday."

I cried, and Doc told us, "Baby A is four pounds nine ounces, and Baby B is four pounds seven ounces. Since the babies had trouble during birth, I would like for them to spend some time in the NICU to be safe."

I nodded and then I asked, "Can I see them?"

Sarah and another nurse brought the twins over to us. When I noticed how tiny they were, I immediately burst into tears. Why was I so stubborn and revenge driven that I put my little ones in danger? I took each one and rested them on my exposed skin.

I looked at Emma, "Here's your mini-me."

Emma laughed, "Yep, she was the one getting the majority of the food from you."

I turned to my baby boy, "Hello my little Michael," and kissed him then turned to my bigger baby, "Hello my little Hope, you have your Ma's appetite I see."

I kissed her then the nurses took a baby and immediately took them to the NICU. Dr. Fabin removed her mask and smiled.

"I am going to send you to recovery for a couple of hours to monitor you just in case any complications should arise."

Emma placed a hand on Dr. Fabin's shoulder, "Thank you for keeping them safe."

Dr. Fabin nodded, "My pleasure."

The nurses rolled me out the OR once I was all cleaned up and stitched up from a little tear on the outside.

* * * * *MY NEW BEGINNING* * * * *

I was asleep in the recovery room then I heard when Emma walked in after discarding the surgical garb she wore and washed her hands. Emma walked up to the bed and ran her fingers through my hair.

"Oh my love," Emma began, "You did so well in the OR. You are one amazing woman. How did I get so lucky to fall in love with someone as incredible as you?"

"You charmed your way into her life and her heart when she needed it."

Emma smiled when I opened my eyes and smiled back.

"If it wouldn't have been for you, I don't know if our twins would have made it." I took Emma's hand in mine.

Emma squeezed it. "Yes, they would have. I just helped them along."

I smiled and kissed my wife's hand. "How did I get so lucky to fall in love with someone as wonderful as you?"

Emma pulled the rolling chair up to me. "You enchanted me with your heart by loving our son unconditionally and being a best friend that I could ever ask for."

"I love you so much, Emma Grace."

Emma smiled. "I love you, too, Regina Katherine."

We shared a long deep, gentle kiss, and Emma smiled. "Never thought you would get a birthday present like this did you?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Not as wonderful as this and I have you to thank for it."

"It took us both remember."

I laughed, "Yes, I remember it took us both. Oh, Emma, we are now a family of six."

"If we keep this up," Emma began to play with our intertwined fingers. "We are going to grow out of the mansion."

I rolled my eyes, and Emma laughed then I replied, "No more babies! I'm done!"

Emma winked and kissed my forehead. "So you say."