Emma pov

One week later

Today marks one week since i dropped Regina off at the psych ward. One week since i watch these heavy wooden doors snap locked as she walked through them. Ive only gotten to talk to her twice since they admitted her. Once 3 days in and once yesterday. Ive never felt so lonely in my life. I know this isnt about me and i need to be here for whatever she needs but its so hard not having her with me. I miss her and i miss our baby. The hospital let me drop off her belly care stuff on day 2 so at least i know shes not in pain. They upped her dosages and added in another medication to help with her extreme lows. Something that allows the brains natural chemistry to be absorbed better. They said she may be able to come home as soon as next week but they wanted to keep her at least 2 weeks to make sure the medication has no side effects on her or the baby.

3 weeks later (Regina 8 months pregnant)

Emma pov

I finally get to pick up my wife today. Its been a month of her being in the hospital trying to balance her medication. Shes had some intense therapy sessions while she has been there. Ruby and Belle check on her as much as they can. Tink and Ariel have so many questions but its up to Regina if she wants to tell them or not. I havent gotten to see her even once since they admitted her. Just the occasional phone call twice a week. Dr. Whale makes sure i get sonogram pictures every appointment she has with him. I cant wait to see her. Less than a half hour now and she will be back in my arms.

Regina pov

I cant wait to see Emma and feel her strong arms around me. Ive missed her so incredibly much. It physically hurt to be away from her for so long. Since meeting her ive never gone this long without seeing her. Im finally doing better with my mental health. Thank God im going home. The only people ive seen these last 4 weeks have been Dr. Hopper, Dr. Whale, nurse Ratchet, and nurse Nelson. They kept me from the general population because of the pregnancy and my past. It was to keep me safe. Its been 2 weeks since i wanted to kill myself last. And one week since my last strong urge to self harm. Its been a long month and i cant wait to be home in my own bed with my wife beside me.

When the thick wooden doors open and i see the woman i love waiting for me with her arms spread wide, i drop all of my things and speed walk to her as fast as i can. She pulls me in and ive never been so thankful to be in her arms. I kiss her hard on the mouth and lay my forehead against hers. "Ive missed you so much Regina. Im so glad you are doing better so we can be together again. And you my dear have finally popped. The baby has grown so much while youve been here! Lets go home." She pulls away and runs to grab the things i dropped. Once she has them all she takes my hand and we walk to the car. "Emma, thank you for understanding all this. I know it hasnt been easy on either of us."

She looks at me from the drivers seat as she takes my hand in her free one. "Id do it all again if it meant you were safe and came out happier. You are worth it. Dr. Whale made sure to give me all updates with the baby as soon as he got done seeing you. So it doesnt feel like i missed too much with her other than physically seeing you grow as she grew. Im just grateful you are feeling more like yourself and you're here and healthy and we can be happy again together." She briefly kisses my hand and then focuses back on the road.

We finally arrive at home and my God does it feel wonderful to be back. Ive missed my own space, my kitchen, the living room, the whole house. I have never been more grateful to be somewhere. I go straight to our kitchen and get the ingredients together for my famous lasagna. "Hey Emma!" I shout to get her attention from the other room and am startled when the answer comes from right behind me. "Yes dear?" I turn quickly and nearly lose my balance but Emma steadies me with one hand on my arm.

"Careful babe. You ok?" She says. "Im fine, you just startled me. I thought you were in the living room. I was calling you in to see if maybe you wanted to invite Belle and Ruby over for dinner?" Emma shakes her head excitedly. "Yes, absolutely. They have missed you fiercely. Belle especially. She was very worried for you the whole time you were gone. Let me give Rubes a call. Be right back. Wait, what time?" I think for a minute and do the math in my head. "Tell them 6:30 that way i have time to make a dessert as well. How does, caramel apple pie with vanilla ice cream, sound?" Emma smiles like a kid before she hums. "Mmmmm delicious. Yes please babe. That sounds fantastic." I smile over my shoulder as i turn back to my task.

I hear her footsteps fade away as i reach over and turn the radio on. A familiar song comes on and i hum along with it until the chorus when i sing softly. I sway gently and rub my belly with one hand listening to "the bones" by Maren Morris. I place the lasagna into the oven and grab the ingredients to start the apple pie. I peal the apples and chop them up before adding in the rest of the ingredients. By the time im placing butter on top of the crust, Emma is back. "Sorry that took so long baby. Ruby was telling me that Granny is going to retire soon. Shes giving the business to Ruby. Plus Ruby wanted to tell me about how she and Belle have been talking about getting a dog. A wolf with a pet dog i found hilarious. Ruby said she was gonna smack me. So that means they are coming tonight."

I turn and place my hands in my apron pockets. "That's wonderful. And you definitely deserve a good one for that joke. Poor Ruby. But shes going to be great at running the restaurant. Now, help me with this pie dear and put it in the oven on the top rack please. We dont want the crust to burn on the bottom. My back is hurting. Im going to go rest in the living room until the food is done." Emma does as i asked and when shes done she follows me into the living room.

"Up and lay on your side baby. Ill rub your back for you. Is anything else hurting?" I roll onto my side and Emmas strong hands immediately start rubbing right where the pain is on my lower back. This sciatic pain has been killing me for the past 2 weeks. I didnt say anything to her over the phone about it though. She couldnt have done anything about it while i was away. "Yes, my hips and pelvis have been hurting pretty badly too but my back is the worst of it. Im going to be honest, i cant wait till this little girl is born because this pain has been absolutely horrible. I cant handle this too much longer." I feel a warmth at my back and the pain eases tremendously.

I feel heat at my hips and that pain ebbs away too. Emma rolls me over and focuses her hands over my pelvic area before a warm lavender light spreads from her hands. "You have been practicing your healing magic while i was away, haven't you?" Emma smiles sheepishly. "I wanted to be able to do something useful so i found a spell that combines our magic. That will allow both of us to grow more powerful with good magic. Its why my magic is lavender instead of white now. If you try yours it will be lighter too." I touch her face gently and focus on my love for her and a beautiful slightly darker purple than her magic comes from my hand. "Oh Emma, its beautiful. Thank you for helping to reduce my pain. You are getting good at healing me by now."

Emma continues to rub my back gently until the oven beeps. "Ill get it love. You stay relaxed." I smile and nod. "Thank you dear. You are the best." I smell the mix of dinner and dessert as soon as the oven is opened. Its intoxicating and im suddenly starving. I need the girls to arrive as soon as possible so i can eat. Ive gained so much weight in the last few weeks because of the baby. Its good that at first i lost so much weight because with all her growth ive gained back enough weight to be 20 lbs heavier than i was before pregnancy. Im praying that with breastfeeding and exercise i can get my pre pregnancy body back pretty easily. I hear a knock at the door and i know its almost time to plate the food.

I get up and open the door to two excited pairs of arms around me. Belle kisses my cheek as she pulls away. "Regina, im so glad youre home. Its been so hard with you away. I was so scared for you. I just wanted you to feel better. And im so happy you are doing ok." Ruby chuckles at her girlfriend. "Food smells great, im ravenous, is it done?" Ruby asks. Just then Emma steps out of the kitchen. "Dinner is served. Come on in ladies." We all go into the dining room and Emma has already plated up a serving of lasagna for everyone. "Oh no! I forgot to make the bread. Stupid pregnancy brain. Its fine ill just conjure some." I wave my hand and perfectly done garlic cheese bread is laid out on a plate in the center of the table.

Everyone digs in and i think this is the best lasagna ive ever made. "Mmmm, this is so good baby. I was so hungry. You are such a good cook." The table is silent except for the clatter of silverware against dishes. Once every plate is empty, i stand. "Is everyone ready for dessert? Ive made apple pie with caramel and we have some vanilla ice cream to go with it." Ruby jumps up and motions for me to sit. "Ill get it Regina. You just rest, you made all this food and you deserve a break. Belle, could you help me please?" Belle stands and pushes in her chair. "Of course my darling." On her way past Emma, Ruby smacks her on the back of the head. "Thats for the wolf with a dog joke." Emma just laughs as she rubs the back of her head and i chuckle along.

Belle and Ruby return with 4 bowls of apple pie with ice cream and they set them in front of each chair. "Dig in. That pie was beautiful, Regina." I smile at her. "Thanks Ruby. I hope you enjoy it. Emma told me about your Granny handing over the business. Are you excited and ready?" She shrugs. "I think Granny is worried about her health more now. She had a health scare last year that ended up being nothing but until we got the results was pretty terrifying. I think she wants to travel and do things now that shes older. Im going to miss her while she travels and im actually going to miss being yelled at while working at the diner. Im ready though. I think im prepared. Belle and I have been talking about marriage a lot lately and i feel like this step will help me reach the maturity level i need to be a good wife to the woman i love." She grabs Belles free hand while she takes another bite of pie.

"So a wedding soon? Boy am i glad that i didnt feel the need to be mature before marriage. Regina and i never would have been married. Im a giant child." Emma chuckles. "Youre not wrong there. But i love it. Even if sometimes it is frustrating." I say between bites. "Yes, a wedding soon. Noone has proposed yet but i think its probably going to be a mutual agreement to just start planning. We will wait for Tink and Ariel to have their wedding before we have ours." We all continue talking until its time for the girls to go home.

Emma does the dishes and then comes into the living room with me. "I think you should go to bed, love. You seem exhausted. Beautiful but tired. Why dont we go up and cuddle for a while? Ive missed the hell out of you anyway." I nod and take the hand she offered to help me up off the couch. "I am exhausted. You read me like a book my dear." I say as i start up the steps. We cuddle for a few hours just relaxing and loving on each other until we fall asleep.