It was 11:30 on a blustery Tuesday morning and the Sheriff's Station was quiet, save for the sound of a pen scratching on paper. The building was largely empty, the deputies and officers out on patrol or a lunch break, and the Sheriff herself was sitting at her desk, enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet in the usually bustling bullpen.

The blonde was working solidly on the large pile of paperwork that had piled up in the three weeks she had taken off nearly two months ago while grieving and had since ignored, a very erroneous choice on her part because now she was stuck with a seemingly insurmountable job. She leaned back in her chair, dropped the pen onto the desk in front of her and stretched her arms out before leaning forwards to rest on the desk, head cradled in the crook of her elbow.

Emma had only been resting for a few minutes before she heard a tell-tale click-clack of heels in the corridor. She knew she should sit up properly and grab the pen before the Mayor walked in to avoid the brunette's ire at her supposed laziness, but she was too exhausted to care much by this point.
"Nice to see you taking a little power nap in the middle of your shift Sheriff Swan," she heard Regina's silky voice. "I can see our taxpayer's dollars are being well spent here."

Emma groaned and heaved herself up into a sitting position. "I've been filling out paperwork for days Regina. I feel like my hand is about to fall off and my eyes are going to pop out of my head," the blonde whined.

"Save the melodrama dear, I have no sympathy for you regarding this issue." Emma looked at her visitor, affronted. "You brought this on yourself. If you did your paperwork every day, it wouldn't pile up like this."

"But some of this paperwork is ridiculous Regina," Emma complained immediately. "Why on earth do I need to fill out a two-page form to order a box of staples, huh?" She asked, irritation lacing her tone. "And why, for the love of all that is good, does it have to be done in triplicate?"

"Well, I did create this curse to make everyone miserable, dear," Regina reminded her.

"Oh, you are just evil, Madam Mayor," Emma said, narrowing her eyes playfully at the brunette.

"Yes, so I've heard," Regina drawled before moving on the point of her visit. "Henry informed me that you've taken to not eating breakfast in the mornings."

"Um, yeah, the uh, morning sickness is pretty bad when I get up until about 10:30 in the morning," Emma admitted sheepishly as Regina fixed her with a hard stare. "I'm surprised the kid noticed though, he's usually still half asleep."

"Well, with the amount of food you eat, dear, it is quite alarming when you skip a meal."
"Rude."

"Anyway, I brought you some food. I know it's difficult, but you need to eat something."

"You didn't have to do that Regina, thank you," Emma said, sincerely. She had been surprised, but was very much enjoying, how helpful and supportive Regina had been over the last few weeks. It was hard to believe that only a few short years ago the two of them had been at each other's throats, barely able to be in the same room as each other without hurling insults, and now, the brunette had slowly but surely become one of her closest friends. Although, all the sarcastic quips and heated exchanges they continued to share belied the underlying tension the two had had since the beginning. And that tension hadn't disappeared, rather morphed from a hatred to something more yearning.

"You need to tell him, Emma," Regina said softly, interrupting the blonde's thoughts, as she placed the bag she'd brought from Granny's on the small empty patch of Emma's desk that wasn't covered in papers.

"I know."

"Our son is perceptive and he's starting to notice something's not quite right."

"I know."
"He's figured out that you don't have a flu. He was researching illnesses last night that cause chronic nausea and vomiting."
"Shit. Really?"

"Yes. He asked me if I thought what you had was viral, bacterial or fungal," Regina said with a smirk.

The blonde groaned in response. "Of course he did. What did you say?"
"I may have distracted him with the promise of a copy of that new comic book coming out next week," Regina admittedly wryly. "But we can't keep lying to him for much longer dear."

"Yeah, I know," Emma grumbled. "You're right."

"Of course I am," Regina replied with a wink.

Emma huffed and reached for the bag on her desk, pulling out the still slightly warm blueberry muffin.

"I just-" She paused, looking away from the brunette's steady gaze, unwilling to share the next part with her. She looked back to see Regina waiting patiently for her to continue. Emma sighed deeply.

"I just don't want Henry to feel like he's being replaced." She watched Regina's eyes widen in surprise before she nodded in understanding.

"I can understand why you might be concerned about that, Emma, but I really don't think it's something you need to worry about."

"Really? How do you know he's not going to be upset or angry?" Emma asked. How do you know he isn't going to think that I gave him up because I didn't care enough to try but I'm keeping this one? It just doesn't seem fair!" Emma cried. She could feel her emotions rising and her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

"You're right, Emma, it doesn't seem fair," Regina agreed in an obvious attempt to placate the increasingly distressed blonde. "But I also don't think you're giving our son enough credit."

Emma tried to blink away the tears that had gathered in the corner of her eyes and watched Regina walk around to perch beside her on the edge of the messy desk before continuing.

"Look, I know when your mother and father had Neal you felt a lot of resentment at the whole situation. Your parents chose to give you up to save everyone, rather than keeping you and being swept up in the curse together, and then they get a second chance at parenthood. And that must feel so unfair and infuriating. That you had to pay the price for their 'good deeds' and they get to suffer no consequences."

Emma was only able to stare up at the older woman, shocked at how accurately she had been able to read her emotions.

"Emma, I know that was all incredibly hard for you and you're worried Henry will feel the same way, but you're forgetting something important. You were raised in some awful conditions Emma, you bounced around foster homes, never feeling like you belonged, never feeling worthy of love, but Henry didn't. You gave Henry up for adoption so that he could be a part of a loving family, and he was. I promise you that he has known love every single day of his life, Emma, and that's because of you, dear." Regina finished her impassioned speech while holding Emma's gaze.

"I know you love Henry more than anything, Regina, I just can't help but worry," Emma said.

"I understand that dear, and I promised to support you in any way I can, so if you'd like, I'd be happy to be there when you tell him," Regina offered.

For some reason, this proclamation caused a surge of emotions to flood Emma and she burst into tears, leaning forward to pull the brunette into a tight hug. Emma felt the other woman stiffen for a fraction of a moment, before pulling her arms around the blonde and rubbing her back gently. They didn't hug often, though each time a feeling of warmth spread through Emma and she was filled with a sense of peace. She realised her head was resting on the woman's chest and that warm feeling intensified, pooling in her belly and her heart began to thump loudly. She pulled back carefully, avoiding the brunette's eyes and hoping desperately she chalked the blondes red cheeks up to the tears.

"Thank you, Regina," Emma sniffled. "Stupid hormones," she muttered under her breath, and Regina chuckled as Emma blew her nose with a napkin.

"Would you like me to come around for dinner tonight?" Regina asked.

"Tonight?" Emma squeaked, feeling very unprepared to have the conversation she knew was coming so soon.

"I think it best to get it over and done with sooner rather than later, don't you?"

"I suppose."
"Besides, Henry is very close to figuring it out and I do think it would be best if he heard it straight from you, dear."

"Yeah, you're right," Emma sighed.

"You've admitted that twice in one day now, Miss Swan," Regina teased.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Does 7 o'clock work for you for dinner tonight? I'm staying late to cover David this evening. Apparently, Mary Margaret has an important faculty meeting and David needs to look after Neal," Emma explained.

"Seven is perfect, I'll see you then." Regina stood up, straightening her blazer and shirt and turned to leave.

"Don't forget to fill out those order requisition forms if you'd like your department to get new equipment, Sherriff Swan" she said airily as she left.
"Will do Madam Mayor," Emma replied with a salute and a grin before turning back to the mound of paperwork waiting.

7 o'clock rolled around far too quickly for Emma's liking where she found herself stirring a pot of pasta sauce in the kitchen with Regina, who had arrived 15 minutes earlier, and was chopping up the vegetables for a salad.

"How was the rest of your day, Miss Swan?" Regina asked as she diced a cucumber.

"Oh it was wonderful, Madam Mayor," Emma said sarcastically. "I think my fingers will be permanently cramped from the number of forms I filled out. The only saving grace was that Mrs Banner called because there was a cat on her roof that wouldn't get down, so I got to get out of the station and deal with that."

"And was the cat alright?" Regina asked.

"Oh, it wasn't a cat. It was a branch that had fallen off the tree and gotten stuck in the gutter. I've suggested she go to visit the optometrist," Emma said laughing.

"Well, I'm glad the highlight of your day was rescuing a pile of leaves, dear," Regina replied with a smirk as she tossed a dressing through the salad. Emma turned off the heat on the stove.

"Henry, dinner's ready!" she shouted to her son, who should be upstairs finishing off his homework but was more than likely playing on his switch or reading. "Come and set the table please!" She adds as she drains the water from the pasta before adding the sauce and stirring. The two women exchanged smirks at the grumbling they could hear from their son as he clomped his way down the stairs and muttering about slave labour.

"Why do I have to waste time setting the table when you both have magic and can do it in a second?" Henry whined his familiar complaint. Emma smirked at the brunette's huff of frustration.

"You know why, Henry," Regina explained, again, "All magic comes with a price and saving a few seconds here and there to not set a table is not worth it." Emma watched the older woman closely, and could see the cloud of guilt that darkened her face momentarily, as, Emma was sure, she remembered all the magic she used in the past, deeming the price worthy for whatever cruel destruction she had caused. Emma said nothing, but reached over to her and squeezed her hand gently, lacing their fingers together as she leaned into Regina's side. She felt the brunette tense for a moment before relaxing and pressing her side against Emma for a few moments before pulling away and tossed the vegetables together in the salad bowl. The silent moment of connection and comfort over.

Emma served the pasta into three bowls and carried them to the dining table where Henry had set three places and had even managed to pour them each a glass of water. Regina followed behind her and set the bowl of salad she had made in the middle of the table.

"Smells great Ma, thanks," Henry said as he immediately began shovelling forkfuls of pasta in his mouth.

"Hmm," Emma hummed noncommittally.

While she did feel like throwing up at every time she smelt or ate food, the nausea did like to arbitrarily rear its ugly head. She'd been fine while she was cooking, so she cautiously took a small bite of pasta and was relieved when it went down without a fuss. She silently exhaled in relief and took another bite, before looking up to see Regina looking at her pointedly then nodding her head towards their son.

"So, uh, Henry," Emma started. "How was your day?" She saw Regina roll her eyes dramatically.

"It was good, I guess. You know how I tried out for the school play?"
"Yeah."

"Well Mr Dennis can't decide between me and Jack for the main role so he gave us both some lines to practice and on Friday we'll get to do it and whoever says it better will get it!" Henry said excitedly.

"That's great bud! I'm proud of you for giving it a go and trying something new," Emma said, knowing full well that getting involved in the school play had less to do with expanding his interests in different activities than it did with getting to spend more time with that young girl in his class that he had taken a liking to.

"Yeah, I'm a little nervous though."
"That's normal, bud. As long as you try your best that's all that matters. Even if you don't end up getting the main part, you should be proud of yourself." Emma said, and then, after glancing at the brunette across the table added, "Right Regina?"

Emma recognised immediately the 'I'm prepared to go down and bully an 8th grade drama teacher into getting my son the lead role' look on Regina's face and glared at her until she conceded.

"Yes dear, that's right," Regina forced out with a pained almost-smile grimace on her face.

Henry didn't seem to notice however, and continued on about his day at school.

Almost halfway through her dinner, Emma felt her stomach flip suddenly, as it had recently been prone to doing.

"And then we added a drop of lemon juice which was the acidic part and-"

"Oh no," she muttered, interrupting Henry in the middle of his explanation about the science experiment he'd done in class.

"You okay Ma?" He asked worriedly as she dropped her fork and it clattered against her bowl.

Emma's stomach clenched and she heaved, clamping her hand to her mouth as she lurched off her chair and sprinted towards the bathroom.

She heard some noises behind her, but was unable to focus on anything beyond expelling what felt like every bit of food she'd eaten all week into the toilet.

"Emma?" She heard Regina call out from the other side of the door. "I'm coming in." The door swung open and Emma half lifted her head off her arm where it was resting on the toilet to see the brunette standing in the doorway holding a glass of water and Henry hovering behind her.

"Ma are you alright? What's wrong?" He asked, worry etched across all his features.

Emma said nothing and just rolled her head back on her arm and coughed weakly into the toilet bowl.

"Are you dying or something? Do you have stomach cancer?" Henry continued.

Emma stared up at Regina pitifully, who sighed softly.

"Just tell him Emma," she encouraged gently.

And so she did. The words tumbling out of her mouth with no preamble.

"I'm pregnant."

The words received by a snort and an eyeroll from the brunette and a dazed 'huh?" from the teenager behind her.

"Well, that's one way to do it I suppose," Regina muttered under her breath. She handed Emma the glass of water, who took it with slightly trembling fingers, before straightening herself up.

"Henry, why don't we let your mother clean herself up a bit and then we can talk about this all together?" Regina suggested gently, ushering the boy out of the room.

Emma took a gulp of water, swilled it around her mouth before spitting it out and then taking another sip. She flushed the toilet, stood up on slightly shaky legs and brushed her teeth quickly before making her way back out to where mother and son waited for her. In her absence, they had cleared the table, stacked the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and sat waiting patiently in the living room. The blonde took a deep, steadying breath before walking into the room and settling herself on the couch beside Henry, glancing nervously at Regina, who was perched on the armchair.

"You're going to have a baby?" Henry asked as soon as she sat down.

"Yes. And Henry, I know this is a lot to take in and you can ask me whatever you'd like."

"Okay. Um, when will it be born?" Henry asked tentatively.

"Well, my due date is August 7th, so in around 7 months," Emma informed him.

"Will it be a boy or a girl?"
"I'm not sure yet, it's a bit too early to find out."

"Are you going to find out? Do you want it to be a girl or a boy?" He enquired.

"I uh, don't know, I haven't really thought about that yet," Emma said, flustered by a question she had not even considered yet.

"Why not? How long have you known you were pregnant?"

"Only a few weeks. Actually, your mom figured it out before I did."

"Wait really? How?" Henry cocks an eyebrow disbelievingly.

"Yeah, I don't know, it's like she's got magic or something." Henry laughed and Regina rolled her eyes at the blonde's attempt at humour.
"Hook's the father right?"

"Yeah, course he is."
His eyes widened as realisation clouded his face. "Wait, but he's never going to get to meet his kid," Henry said sadly.

"Yeah, I know bud," Emma replied softly as her heart squeezed a little at the thought.

"That really sucks Ma, but don't worry too much cause this kid still has you and I'll be the best big brother, okay?" Henry said earnestly.

Emma's eyes immediately began to well up with tears and Henry looked at her, horrified. "Sorry Ma, I didn't mean to make you cry."

"It's alright Henry," Regina interjected, "Your mother is just a little extra sensitive right now."

"Sensitive?" Henry said. "Wait, is that why you cried the other day when we had a snow fight and I hit you with a snowball on the butt?"

"I did not cry," Emma retorted with a huff as Regina snorted from her spot on the armchair.

"Yes you did," Henry countered before turning to face his brunette mother. "Is this why you were yelling at me to be careful and you made Ma wear like five layers and 2 scarves?"

It was Emma's turn to snort this time and rolled her eyes as she watched Regina blush faintly.

"Your mother is just overprotective," Emma said, drawing her son's attention again. Regina was overprotective, but Emma couldn't deny the rush of affection she felt every time the other woman fretted over her. As anxious as she was about being pregnant again, Regina's constant hovering and worrying over her was a complete 180 from her last experience and she could admit, to herself at least, that she much preferred it this way.

"Anyway," Emma said, steering the conversation back on topic, "Henry, you are going to be an amazing brother."

Henry asked a few more questions, namely, have you thought of any names yet? and can I help name the baby? before he yawned widely.

"Alright Henry, I think that's enough questions for now. It's just about your bedtime and I need to get home too," Regina said.

"But I was gonna play the Xbox," Henry started to complain.

"Listen to your mother Henry, now go upstairs and start getting ready for bed please," Emma added as she stood and went to walk Regina to the front door. "Wait, say goodnight first," she added.

"Night mom," Henry said as he hugged the brunette quickly, before stomping up the stairs.

"I just wanted to say thank you for coming tonight," Emma said.

"I didn't even say anything, Emma, you did it all yourself," Regina said.

"I know, but it really helped just having you here," Emma said. "I feel so much calmer when you're around," she added. And it was true. Emma felt like she could breathe easier when the brunette was nearby, but she was not yet ready to fully unpack those feelings.

"I'm glad to help Emma," Regina assured her.

"Well, thanks again."

"Go on inside Miss Swan, its cold out here. I'll see you tomorrow for the budget review meeting," Regina said before walking down the steps to her car.

Emma ignored her and waited on the front step, waving as the brunette pulled her car out of the driveway and drove off into the dark.

The blonde trudged up the steps to Henry's bedroom and found him lying on top of his bed a notebook in hand and scribbling away furiously.

"Hey kid," Emma said from the doorway of his room. "Can I come in?" she asked.

Henry nodded and she stepped into the room, sitting on the end of his bed. "What are you writing?"

"Just some ideas for the baby's name," he said. Emma nodded looked at her son carefully as he continued writing. He looked excited, and Emma couldn't detect any traces of anger or resentment on his features and she breathed a little easier.

"I'm glad you're excited about this Henry, but you know it's okay if you're not happy right? You're allowed to have any feelings about this, I know it's going to be a big adjustment, having a baby in the house and having to share my attention, but I don't want you to think that I don't love you any less, okay?" Emma said vehemently.

"What? I don't think that," Henry said, mildly disgusted at even the thought.

"I just don't want you thinking that I care about you less because I gave you up," Emma said meekly.

"Ma, I've never thought you don't care about me. I know you gave me up for my best chance and then ever since I came to find you and I brought you home, you've loved me, right?" Henry asked.

"Of course I have Henry!" Emma said fervently.

"Exactly! I'm not worried about you loving the baby more than me Ma, I know that you'll love us both the same and I just can't wait to be a big brother," Henry said emphatically.

Emma leaned over towards her son and pulled him into a tight hug.

"When did you get so wise?" she said.

"It's a gift I guess," Henry said grinning.

"Of course it is," Emma chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Alright bud, don't forget that if you want to talk about anything, I'm here alright?"

"Yeah Ma, I know."
"Good night kiddo," she said as she kissed his forehead, which he allowed without squirming away from the affection, which he had started doing more often than not these days. "Love you."

"Love you too."

Three days later found Emma and Henry walking into Granny's before school and walking towards their regular booth. Emma felt herself perk up at the sight of Regina already waiting for them. This had become one of their many routines. On the morning of the day Henry swapped between their houses for the week the three of them met for breakfast before school and work. It had been dubbed 'Handover Day' by Henry and was used as an opportunity to discuss any issues or events and made sure that everyone was on the same page. Mother and son slid into the booth opposite the brunette and Emma felt a pleasant warmth in her chest at the smile that Regina sent her way as she noticed them.

"Morning Mom, can I have a coffee?" he asked as soon as he sat down. Emma rolled her eyes at his attempt at sneakiness.

"Nice try, absolutely not," Regina said.
"Fine." Henry immediately began grumbling under his breath as he slid down in his seat.

Emma decided to get the business out of the way before Ruby came to take their order.

"Henry has his final audition this afternoon for the school play, he's been practicing hard all week for it," Emma reminded Regina. Henry had been practicing relentlessly after school each day and Emma had found herself being roped into helping every evening, reminding him of the line's when he got stuck and being asked a million questions she thought she was highly unqualified to be answering. 'Should I say it like this, or this? Should I move around or stand on the spot? What arm gestures should I make? Do you think he'd sound angry or sad in this part?' Most of his queries had received a similar response from the blonde, along the lines of 'I don't know kid, what do you think feels right?' Which seemed to be enough of a prompt for him to answer his own question and make a decision.

"I remember. You're going to do a wonderful job Henry, and we're both so proud of you," Regina said, beaming at her son.

"No matter what the outcome is," Emma added, to which Regina's smile stiffened a little.

"Of course, dear." Regina said slightly stiffly. Emma could see she was still contemplating either threatening, blackmailing or bribing the drama teacher to ensure Henry's role, so she quickly changed topics.

"Also, Henry did all his chores for the week and even did some extras for me," Emma said. "So he's earned an extended curfew for tonight."

Since she had told him that she was pregnant, Henry had been overly eager to help her around the house, which Emma was very grateful for, because it meant getting him to do his chores had been a breeze instead of the usual battle.

"Wonderful, I'm glad to hear you've been helping your mother out," Regina said.

"Well yeah, she needs more help now that she's, you know," Henry said meaningfully. Both Emma and Regina had made sure that Henry understood that nobody else knew about the pregnancy yet and that Emma wanted it to stay that way for a little while longer, at least until the end of the first trimester.

Just at that moment, Ruby waltzed over to the trio, pad and paper in hand.

"Good morning trouble makers, what can I get for you this morning," she asked brightly.

"That's far too much energy for this early in the morning, Rubes," Emma said stifling a yawn and smiling.

Ruby turned to face Emma and paused, eyes narrowing and a little furrow appeared on her forehead as she looked at the blonde peculiarly. She took a deep breath in and her eyes widen suddenly, shock and disbelief evident on her face.

"You're preg-"

"Shhh!" Simultaneously, all three sitting at the table shushed the brunette loudly, garnering a few glances from the other patrons.

"Oh my God!"
"Ruby, quiet!"

"So you are then?" Ruby confirmed.

"Yeah, but no one else knows, Ruby. You can't tell anyone, please," Emma begged, panic lacing her tone. "Especially my mother."

"Don't worry, Swan, your secret's safe with me," Ruby assured her, squeezing Emma's shoulder comfortingly as the blonde let out a deep breath and looked down at her lap.

"Wait, how did you know?" Henry asked curiously. Emma's head swivelled back up to look at the waitress again, interested to know the answer herself.

"I could smell it."
"Smell it?" Henry repeated quizzically at the same time Emma said indignantly, "I smell?"

Ruby rolled her eyes in mild exasperation. "Everyone has a scent. Yours is different than usual," she explained.

"Different how?" Emma asked, now feeling mildly self-conscious that she was suddenly sweating terribly and exuding some horrible odour.

"Mm, I don't know how to describe it exactly, maybe a bit sweeter. It's due to the changing hormones and it's a lot more noticeable when I'm in my wolf form but I can still detect changes when I'm human."
"Stupid hormones," Emma muttered under her breath as Ruby laughed and Regina smirked at her.
"Ruby, seriously, nobody else knows. It's still really early and I'm not ready to tell anyone yet," Emma urged.
"I get it Emma, I promise, you don't have to worry about me," Ruby reassured her.

"Thanks, Rubes."

"So, can I take your order now that the excitement is out of the way?" Ruby asked.

They gave her their order, Emma wishing mournfully she could be having a coffee with the brunette sitting across from her or even a hot chocolate with Henry, but knew her stomach would allow for neither and settled for fresh orange juice. Ruby brought their food to them as soon as it was ready and while Henry dug straight into his plate of syrupy pancakes and Regina sipped delicately at her coffee, Emma picked unenthusiastically at her slices of toast.

"You need to eat dear," Regina reminded her.

"I know, I just don't feel very hungry yet. I might grab a muffin to eat later," she said.

They ate their breakfast together before heading off to start their respective days.

"I'll drive Henry to school, I'm on patrols this morning anyway," Emma said as they exited the diner.

"If you're sure," Regina agreed. "Henry, I'll see you tonight after work. You earned a late curfew so I want you home by 10'o'clock alright? And call me if you need anything. Emma, I'll see you for dinner tomorrow night, right?"

"Yep," Emma confirmed, not that she was ever likely to miss out on the weekly family dinner that had quickly become a highlight of her week. She and Henry always played on the Xbox together before dinner, she then got to indulge in Regina's delicious cooking – of course, something she hadn't been quite able to enjoy as much as usual recently – and they always ended the night with a game and then a movie, all huddled on the couch together. Emma's favourite part however, was always the part that came after Henry had gone up to bed, where it was just her and Regina, sharing a bottle of wine – or more recently, sparkling water or juice – and chatting, sometimes so late into the night that Emma ended up staying over in the guest room.

Four hours later, Emma walked into the station, ready to sit down at her desk after a long and exhausting morning. She had been kept busy chasing Pongo who had escaped again, heading over to Mrs Banner's house to check out, and reassure her that no, there was not a bear in her yard, just a very dense bush and firmly suggesting, again, that she go to the optometrist, and then heading over to the convent to take photos of the new graffiti that had appeared and take statements from the fairy nuns.

As she got closer to her desk, she noticed a take away bag from Granny's resting on top of a messy pile of papers.

Emma felt her face break out into a wide smile and her heart skip a beat as she took in the familiar cursive writing of the note stuck to the bag.

You didn't eat much at breakfast this morning, so I took the liberty of buying you some lunch. – Regina.