A/N: Well, the time has come. The final chapter of "An Ocean Between Us". Enjoy!

Epilogue

"Are you comfortable?" Emma asked, wrapping her arms around Regina as they laid on the bed of seaflowers that Emma continued to create, allowing Regina a soft place to lay at night.

"As comfortable as I can be." Regina smiled, settling into Emma's body behind her, lacing their fingers together over her swollen belly.

"Get some rest, my love" Emma said, kissing Regina's shoulder softly, smiling as she held her Melda close. It didn't take long before Regina was sound asleep, Emma's arms wrapped tightly around her, holding her close.

A few hours later, a sharp pain woke Regina from a deep sleep. She whimpered slightly, waking Emma in the process.

"Regina?" Emma asked, looking around the dark room. "Are you okay?"

"I…I don't know…" Regina said as the pain came back, stabbing her in the stomach. She could feel the fins at the bottom of Emma's tail tickling her feet, which was how she realized her tail was gone. In its place were her legs, a clear sign of what was to come. "Emma…I think it's time," she said, staring down at her legs in shock.

"Time? The baby? The baby's coming?" Emma asked in shock as Regina turned to face her scared Melda.

"Yes, my love." Regina smiled through the slowly increasing pain. "I think the baby is coming."

"We…we have to go…I have to get you to the surface! We…we have to go!" Emma said, scooping Regina into her arms.

"I can still swim, you know." Regina laughed as she wrapped her arms around Emma's neck, holding on as Emma swam out of their bed chambers.

"Yes, I know. But you need to rest. And I'm going to do everything I can possibly do to make sure you're comfortable until the baby comes, even if that means swimming you to the surface," Emma said, seriousness filling her eyes and voice.

"Okay, my love." Regina winced slightly as another stabbing pain ripped through her body. "Wait! We should tell someone what's happening!" Regina said as they swam past Queen Snow's bedchambers.

"Oh shit, yeah, you're right. Who do you think is still awake at this hour?"

"My sister! She's always up late." Emma turned and swam toward her sister-in-law's chambers, hoping the redhead was still awake. Regina popped her head into Zelena's chambers, finding the redhead laying in the corner.

"What the hell?" she asked when she saw Regina's head pop through the doorway.

"Zelena, are you still awake?" Regina asked.

"I am now! You scared the crap out of me. What are you doing up this late? Don't you need to rest or something?" Zelena asked, clearly annoyed by her sister's intrusion.

"I was, but there was a sudden development." Regina smirked as Emma swam through the door, revealing Regina's legs treading water slightly.

"HOLY SHIT! It's time, isn't it?" Zelena asked, rushing over to her sister.

"It appears so." Regina smiled. "Will you tell our Tatyas what's going on in the morning?"

"Of course, of course! Go. Get going. I'll let them know what's going on," Zelena said, pushing them back out of the room. "Good luck!" Zelena yelled back out to them as Emma swam them toward the surface.

Emma swam as fast as she could, rushing to get Regina to the surface before it was too late. They had both heard plenty of horror stories of couples not making it to the surface in time and the baby being born underwater and not surviving. These stories ran through Emma's mind as she swam, fueling her to push herself harder. They made it in record time, breaking the surface of the water in their secret cove.

"We made it!" Emma said, holding Regina while her tail treaded water, keeping them both above the water.

"I never doubted that we would." Regina smiled, kissing Emma softly to ease the blonde's anxiety. A strong wave of pain ripped her away from Emma's lips.

"How is the pain?" Emma asked, concern filling her voice.

"Not great," Regina said honestly. "It's manageable for the moment, but it's getting worse every couple of minutes."

"Please, let me know what I can do to help," Emma said, holding Regina tighter.

"I'm okay right now," Regina said, holding back from the pain.

"Don't do that. Don't hide your pain," Emma said, cupping Regina's face.

"It hurts…" Regina said, lowering her armor.

"What can I do? Do you want to get out of the water?"

"No…can we stay in a little longer?"

"Sure. I think I need to keep checking you to see where the baby is," Emma said, trying to remember what her Tatya had told her when they discussed her duties in the birthing process.

"Okay…" Regina said, clearly in more pain with each passing minute. Emma tenderly inserted her fingers inside Regina, feeling around gently before slowly removing them and wrapping her arms back around Regina.

"I don't feel her head yet." Emma frowned. That meant they still had a long road ahead of them before their baby was born.

They stayed in the water for a few more hours, Regina clutching to Emma so tightly as the pain grew more and more intense. Emma was starting to get tired as she worked to keep them both a float, but she never said a word. This wasn't about her, it was about Regina, and making sure she stayed safe and secure. Eventually, Regina started to doze off from exhaustion, her head resting on Emma's shoulder.

"Let's lay down," Emma whispered, not wanting to wake Regina, but also needing to move her before she fell into a deep sleep. Regina nodded and lifted her head. Emma helped to hoist her onto the ledge, lifting herself up as soon as Regina was secure. Regina laid on her side in an attempt to get comfortable as Emma scooted behind her to assist. A few minutes later, Regina shifted, struggling to find a comfortable position.

"I have an idea," Emma whispered, shifting to sit against the stone wall, encouraging Regina to straddle her lap. Regina slowly lowered herself down onto Emma's lap as Emma wrapped her arms around her back, Regina's pregnant belly pressing against Emma.

Regina's head found Emma's shoulder once again as she relaxed into her Melda, finding comfort for the first time in a while. "Better?" Emma asked, rubbing Regina's back softly to comfort her. Regina nodded her head against Emma's shoulder.

"Let me check you before you fall asleep," Emma whispered, receiving another nod of approval from Regina. She checked Regina's progress once more, finding her vagina empty, which meant their baby was still a long way away from being born.

"Still no head, my love," Emma said, rubbing Regina's back. She could practically feel the pain Regina was in, and her disappointment when she realized she still had a long way to go. "Get some sleep." She rubbed Regina's back for a little longer until she was certain she was asleep. Only then did she rest her head against the wall behind her, closing her eyes and falling asleep herself, holding Regina as tight as she could.

They slept for a few more hours until the sound of the water rippling below them woke Emma up from her light sleep. She looked over Regina's shoulder, preparing to protect her Melda from whatever threat was threatening to surface when she saw a familiar face breaking the surface of the water. She placed her finger over her lips to let Queen Snow know to keep her voice down as Regina continued to sleep in her lap. A moment later, two more heads popped up through the water, indicating that Cora and Zelena were there as well.

"How is she?" Queen Snow asked as she lifted herself onto the small ledge along the perpendicular wall.

"She's been sleeping for a while. I think she's exhausted already," Emma said, rubbing Regina's back softly.

"Is there any progress?" Cora asked, lifting herself up onto the ledge next to Queen Snow.

"I haven't checked since she fell asleep. I don't want to wake her," Emma answered.

"Let her sleep as long as she can. I'm sure the pain will wake her up soon enough," Zelena added, taking her seat next to Cora.

"Do you need anything?" Queen Snow asked.

"No, I'm fine," Emma said, focusing on the woman in her arms.

"Emma, don't be a hero. You can't take care of Regina and the baby if you don't take care of yourself."

"I'm fine, really. Just tired," Emma said, kissing Regina's head so softly.

"Get some more sleep. We'll stay here until Regina tells us to leave," Cora said, her eyes glued on her daughter.

"Okay…" Emma whispered, checking on Regina once more before leaning her head back against the rock wall, closing her eyes to get a little more sleep before Regina woke up again.

She was just drifting off to sleep when she heard a deep moan coming from Regina, a sure sign that she was in tremendous pain. She shifted on Emma's lap, attempting to get comfortable again.

"Emma…" she whispered, so much pain in her hushed voice.

"I'm right here, my love," Emma said, kissing Regina's head, rubbing Regina's back in an attempt to comfort her.

"It hurts so much…" Regina said, crying into Emma's shoulder.

"I know, my love…I know…" Emma said, holding back her own tears to stay strong for Regina. "Our Tatyas and your sister are here. Do you want them to stay?" Emma asked, remembering they weren't alone.

"Yes…stay…" Regina said, turning her head toward their family, trying to give a pained smile.

"What can we do to help?" Zelena asked. Her heart was breaking to see her younger sister in so much pain.

"Just…stay… Regina said. She was in so much pain that it was getting hard for her to speak.

"Do you want to go back in the water?" Emma asked in a soft and calming voice. Regina nodded. "Okay. Can I check you first?" Regina nodded again. Emma, ever so softly and gently put her fingers inside Regina, feeling something soft against her stretched fingertips. "I can feel the very top of her head," she whispered, giving Regina a little hope.

"That's wonderful news," Cora said. Regina nodded, the pain too great for her to talk any longer. Regina tried to smile through the pain, but her smile faltered.

"Let's get you back in the water," Emma said. Regina slowly shifted off Emma's lap, sitting against the rock wall while Emma shifted into the water. Regina tried to move, but the pain was too much for her.

"I…can't…move…" Regina struggled to say.

"It's ok," Emma said, pushing herself up and out of the water.

"It's ok, I got it," Zelena said, shuffling toward Regina. Zelena wrapped her arm around her sister and helped her slowly shuffle toward the edge, swinging her legs into the water below. Emma reached up and grabbed her waist, and together, she and Zelena lowered Regina back into the water. Regina wrapped her arms and legs around Emma as soon as she made contact, holding onto her Melda for dear life.

"I've got you," Emma whispered, holding Regina incredibly tight.

They stayed like that for another two hours, Emma working diligently to keep them both afloat, even when her tail began to ache.

"I can take over if you need," Cora said.

"It's ok. I've got her," Emma said.

"But who has you?" Queen Snow asked, splashing into the water. Cora and Zelena followed their Queen, and the three women circled around them, helping to support Emma as she held Regina tightly. The combined effort of their family allowed Emma and Regina to stay in the water for a few more hours, the water clearly helping to soothe Regina's pain slightly. Regina eventually fell asleep in Emma's arms once again, passing out from the pain as the twenty-four hour mark of her labor rolled around. Emma held her close the entire time, holding back her own tears as she watched her Melda in extreme pain.

Regina's sleep only lasted a short time, waking up when the pain shifted once again. Regina cried in Emma's arms, the pain so great she could no longer hold back the tears.

"May I check you again?" Emma asked, pretty sure she no longer had to ask. Regina nodded slightly. Emma only needed to insert her fingers less than an inch when she was welcomed with her baby's head. "She's right below the surface. She should be crowning soon," Emma said, trying to give Regina hope. "We should probably get you out of the water. She'll be here soon and we don't want to risk it." Regina nodded in agreement. Her body was too weak for her to move, so once again Emma needed Zelena's assistance to get Regina out of the water and onto the rock ledge.

This time, Regina settled on her side facing the wall. Emma shuffled toward her, pulling Regina into her arms as she laid facing her. The act of moving proved too much for Regina, because she passed out almost as soon as she was back in Emma's arms.

"Is she supposed to be in this much pain?" Emma asked once she knew Regina was sleeping. They all looked to Cora, the only one among them that had gone through the birthing process.

"Yes," Cora said sadly, staring at her daughter's back. "It will likely get worse until the baby comes. She's in the final stages though, so hopefully it won't be much longer." Regina continued to drift in and out of consciousness over the next twelve hours, waking up crying when the pain got too intense, passing out again when her body no longer had the strength to endure it.

Around the forty hour mark of labor, Regina woke up screaming, tears collecting against Emma's shoulder.

"I can't…I can't do this anymore…" Regina whispered, her body too weak to even cry any more.

"You can do this, my love. I know you can," Emma whispered. She didn't care if the others could hear them.

"Emma, I think I'm dying…" Regina said, her body starting to tremble from the pain.

"Don't give up. You can do this…" Emma whispered, kissing Regina's head.

"I can't…" Regina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What do I do? How can I help her?" Emma cried, looking to Queen Snow and Cora for support.

"Hold her. Let her know you're there for her. That you won't leave. Check her once more, I suspect she's probably crowning," Cora said. Emma reached between their bodies, no longer asking for permission. She didn't need to insert her fingers to feel the baby.

"You're crowning. You're almost there," Emma whispered. Regina struggled to open her eyes, her body shaking from the extreme pain.

"Roll her on her back. It'll make it easier for her and the baby," Cora said. Regina was barely conscious as Emma rolled her onto her back, positioning herself next to Regina so she could easily feel the baby's progress.

It took another hour before the baby's head was finally out, meaning Regina's pain would soon come to an end.

"Her head is out, my love," Emma said, kissing Regina's forehead. "It's almost over."

"Emma, it's time. Go and get your daughter and relieve Regina's pain," Queen Snow reminded her.

"Okay…" Emma said with a shaky voice, pushing herself up to reposition herself. "Regina…my love…it's time for me to go get our daughter."

"Emma…don't go…please don't leave me…" Regina cried, her body shaking from the pain that was coursing through her veins.

"I have to. I have to get her. Your pain will end soon, I promise," Emma said, crying.

"I got this." Zelena shifted toward her sister, reaching to hold her hand. "I'm here, sis," she said, squeezing her sister's weak hand. Emma shifted between Regina's legs, getting herself into the perfect position to retrieve their daughter.

"Regina…she has your hair. She looks just like you…" Emma cried as she looked at the face of their daughter for the first time.

"Emma, it's time. You know what to do," Cora said, encouraging Emma along. She couldn't bear to see her daughter in that amount of pain any longer. Emma reached in with two fingers of each hand, hooking them around her daughter's tiny shoulders. Once she had a strong hold she pulled slightly, feeling her daughter begin to move from inside of Regina.

Everything moved in slow motion as Emma pulled their daughter out, Regina's pain instantly disappearing the moment their daughter was born and safely tucked in Emma's arms.

The sound of a crying baby echoed off the walls of the cove, bringing fresh tears to everyone's eyes.

"You did it, Regina! You did it, she's here," Emma cried as she cradled their daughter in her arms. Emma shifted carefully toward Regina, holding the squirming baby Nenriel so Regina could see her.

"Teal…" Regina said, tears streaming down her smiling face as she reached out to touch the tip of her daughter's tail. "Her color is teal…"

"Emma, quick. You must nurse her. You must create that bond with your daughter," Queen Snow said, reminding Emma of the next step. Emma took a shaky breath as she raised their newborn daughter to her left breast, which had begun filling with milk at the same time Regina's had in mutual preparation for their daughter. The baby latched onto Emma's nipple instantly, suckling as soon as they made contact.

"I did it." Emma smiled down at Regina, the exhausted woman's face lighting up as she looked up at her Melda and newborn daughter bonding.

"She's so beautiful…" Regina whispered as she softly held the slowly moving fin of her daughter, tears of happiness streaming down her face and collecting in a puddle below her head.

They all watched as the baby continued to nurse from Emma, eventually disconnecting when she was full, letting out a large burp. "That's one big burp, little one." Emma laughed, kissing her daughter's head softly. "Did you hear that burp, my love?" Emma asked, receiving only silence from Regina. "Regina?"

Regina laid perfectly still on the ground below. Not even her chest was moving as her still eyes remained fixed and unmoving on Emma and the baby.

"Regina?" Emma asked again, frantic this time, as everyone realized the unmistakable truth.

Regina was no longer breathing.

"Regina?" Emma asked frantically, propping the baby up against her shoulder as she used her free hand to shake Regina softly. A soft whimper was heard from somewhere off to the side. "Regina!" Emma screamed, shaking Regina harder, attempting to wake her Melda up. "NO! Regina!" she screamed, holding her newborn daughter out to the side. "Someone take her! Please someone take the baby!"

"I got her…" Zelena said, grabbing her new niece and holding her close.

"Regina, wake up! Please, wake up!" Emma yelled, repositioning herself closer to Regina, shaking her as hard as she could. "NO NO NO NO!" Emma checked for a pulse against Regina's neck, panicking each second that passed and she didn't find one. "NO! NO Please, Regina! Please don't do this! You can't leave me!" Emma cried, pressing her palms into Regina's chest, attempting CPR at the awkward angle having a tail created.

"Emma…" Queen Snow said softly, as she grasped Cora's hand tightly. "Emma, she's gone…"

"NO! No, she's not!" Emma cried, pressing into Regina's chest even harder after awkwardly breathing into Regina's mouth. "No! No!" Emma's compressions slowed as she began to accept the inevitable.

Regina was gone.

"I should never have made her have children. She was afraid she wasn't going to survive like our Amils. I should never have encouraged her to get pregnant," Emma cried as her compressions finally ceased, her tears falling onto Regina's still body.

"She wanted to have children with you," Cora said, her voice cracking. "You didn't force her. She knew the risks and wanted to have a family with you," Cora added. Emma scooped Regina into her arms and pressed her face against Regina's, holding her still body impossibly close as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind, that I put down in words…how wonderful life is, while you're in the world…" Emma sang, her voice shaking as she tried to hold back her tears. "Rest now, my love. Swim free in the eternal ocean. Swim free of the pain this life has given you. Swim alongside our Amils, who have also sacrificed their lives to bring us into this world. Our daughter will know how strong her Amil was, and how much you loved her. We will meet again when my time has come. I love you so much, Regina!" Emma cried, her words lost in her sobs as she held Regina against her body. The only sound that could be heard was Emma's cries, echoing off the rock walls as she cradled her dead Melda in her arms.

"I think I'll stick around a little longer, if that's alright," a soft voice said a few minutes later, startling the grieving family.

"Regina?" Emma said, pulling away from Regina suddenly. She was met with Regina's stunning brown eyes, looking up at her with love and devotion. "Regina?! You're alright! I thought I lost you again!" Emma continued to cry as she pressed her lips against Regina's, kissing her so softly.

"You can't get rid of me that easily." Regina smiled, reaching up to cup Emma's cheek.

"If you ever do that to us again, I will kill you myself," Zelena said, cradling her niece a little tighter to cover up the emotion in her voice.

"I'm sorry. I'll try not to die next time." Regina laughed, rolling over slightly to look at her family.

"Oh hell no. There will not be another time. You're not going through this again," Emma said, her voice strong and confident.

"Speaking of which, if no one minds, may I hold my daughter now?" Regina asked, looking over at Zelena.

"Give yourself a few more minutes to recover. And let Emma clean you up a little," Cora suggested.

Emma worked fast to finish her Tatya duties, gently rubbing water over Regina's body, making sure to pay close attention to her core before encouraging Regina's legs to close, allowing her tail to transform back. Emma helped her up and scooted her back against the wall. Once Regina was in a comfortable position, Zelena handed the baby to her, allowing Regina to hold her daughter for the first time.

"We're going to give you guys some alone time," Queen Snow said, splashing back into the water.

"Do you need anything before we go?" Cora asked, splashing into the water behind Queen Snow.

"No, I think we have everything we need." Regina smiled, resting her head on Emma's shoulders as she tore her gaze away from her newborn daughter.

"We'll see you back home then," Zelena said, splashing into the water.

"We'll come find all of you when we get back," Emma said, wrapping her arm around Regina and their daughter.

"Take your time," Queen Snow said, before disappearing under the water. Cora and Zelena followed, leaving them alone for the first time in over twenty-four hours.

"Hello, my sweet angel. I'm your Amil…" Regina said, tears of happiness streaming down her face. "And this amazing woman…" Regina turned her gaze to Emma for a moment before returning to the beautiful baby in her arms "...is your Tatya."

"You're the amazing one. I didn't do anything," Emma said, wiping the tears from Regina's face.

"That's not true. You saved me." Regina looked deep into Emma's eyes. "I heard your voice. I heard your song, and that brought me back. Your voice was my anchor, bringing me back to life," Regina said as their daughter squirmed in her arms.

"I will always be your anchor," Emma said, kissing Regina softly. They separated only when their daughter started to cry. "I think someone is hungry again. Do you want me to take this feeding?"

"No thanks. I think I'll take this one." Regina smiled, raising their daughter to her breast, smiling the moment she latched onto her nipple, suckling instantly. "I met them…Rose and Elsa…our Amils…" Regina said, looking up at Emma once more.

"How?" Emma asked.

"When I…died…they were waiting for me in the eternal ocean…" Regina said. "You look just like her." Regina smiled.

"Did you talk to them? What did they say?" Emma asked, her voice catching with emotion as they spoke of their late Amils.

"They told me how much they loved us, all of us. They said they have been watching over us our entire lives. They knew the moment we met as kids that we would one day bond together," Regina said, glancing down at their daughter, happily drinking from her Amil. "Rose told me that I should stop feeling guilty for her death, that I did nothing wrong. She would gladly give her life for her daughter, and you know what? I finally understand that, because when the time came, I gladly gave my life to bring her into the world."

"Did…did Elsa say anything…about me?"

"She said she knew you were someone special the moment she felt you move inside of her for the first time. She said she was by your side the entire seven years we were apart, and she prayed every moment that you would remember who you were and return home to me," Regina said. "She tried everything in her power to help you remember, but in the end, Maleficent's curse was too powerful for her to break."

"She…she did…"

"She did." Regina smiled. Regina settled into Emma's arms, resting her head against her shoulder once again as they watched their daughter nurse, detaching once again when she was full, burping loudly. "She's definitely your daughter." Regina laughed at the loud burp, crading the sleeping baby against her chest, yawning widely.

"Get some sleep. You've had a rough couple days," Emma said, wrapping her free arm around her Melda and daughter, holding them both tight. Regina's eyes were closed before Emma finished the sentence, and she was sound asleep within a minute. Emma watched her family sleep for a few minutes, eventually falling into a light sleep as well.

They both woke up when they felt the baby squirming in Regina's arms again, clearly coming out of her milk coma with a soft squeak. The tiny Nenriel looked up at her parents, smiling up at them for the first time, her bright green eyes sparking. Emma twisted her head to look behind the baby's ears, smiling when she saw that her tiny gills had formed.

"Looks like someone is ready for her first swim," Emma said. "As long as you're ready as well," she added.

"I'm ready," Regina said, feeling the baby squirm with excitement. "I think she's excited to go for a swim." She laughed.

They both scooted toward the edge, Regina handing the baby to Emma before splashing into the water. Emma handed Regina the little one, before jumping in herself, joining her family in the water. The newest Nenriel's face lit up as soon as she touched the water, her tiny teal tail swishing around, trying to figure out how it worked.

"She's a natural." Emma laughed as she watched her daughter splash around in Regina's arms.

"Let's go home," Regina said after a few minutes, reaching out to grab Emma's hand under the water.

"I like the sound of that," Emma said, squeezing Regina's hand. "Wait! She needs a name before we leave. What should we call her?"

"I have the perfect name." Regina smiled, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Emma, who was waiting to hear the name Regina had picked out for their daughter.

"Eleanore."

The End

A/N:Thank you so much for reading my story, and taking this wonderful adventure with me. I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I am so proud of how this turned out. Please let me know what you thought!

If you're interested in finding out more about the Shapeshifting Wolves in Storybrooke, and finding out the story of the Vampire couple who that was presumed dead in the fire, check out my other stories, "The Last Alpha" and "Only You".

Starting next week, I'll start posting my new story called "The Woman on the Train". It has a Halloween feel to it, just in time for Spooky Season!

Thank you again for reading! It means the world to me when people read my stories! Hopefully I'll see you all over at "The Woman on the Train"!

Until next time,

Jen