***I can't believe how long this one got. It wasn't my original intent. But I really like it so I'm going to go with it. Writing these scenes always brings me back to the birth of my kiddies. Enjoy!***

CHAPTER 10

Snow entered the kitchen early the next morning so that she could call her 2nd in command and let her know she wouldn't be in for the next few days. She needed to get to her before she got to work to let her know that she would be flying solo for a while and hadn't wanted to disturb David, so she'd gone into the kitchen. But when she turned on the light switch she was shocked by what she found. Her daughter was sitting in the dark kitchen and she was a complete wreck!

Her hair was a mess around her head and there were heavy bags beneath her eyes. She was still wearing the same clothes she'd had on last night though they were now wrinkled. Her daughter shoulders were slumped as if she carried the weight of the entire world on them and she seemed completely out of it.

"Emma?" When she received no response except for a blank stare she put her hand onto her shoulder and gave her a light shake. "Emma!?"

Emma broke out of her fogged daze. She blinked and turned to stare at her Mother, "what?"

Snow took in her disheveled appearance. "You look like you haven't slept at all. We're due back at the hospital in a couple of hours. Go lay down honey and get some rest. We're going to have a long day ahead of us."

Emma shook her head and then began to rub her palms into her reddened eyes. "I should be there now. I think I'm going to go on ahead," she said yet made no move in any direction.

She had wandered into the kitchen after her parents had left her for their bed the night before. She had watched them go with a frown on her face knowing that she wouldn't be able to sleep. She had too much energy thrumming through her veins. She had meant to try and make herself some of that warm milk that Regina would make for her with the honey and lavender since it was a guaranteed sleep elixir. But had ended up sitting down and hadn't moved since.

Instead of sleeping, she'd slumped into a chair counting all the ways she'd already screwed up with Regina and her baby so far. It had been her bright idea to give up their Lamaze classes which would've helped them figure out what was going on so that she could play in the last soccer game of the season. And she had been lying to her throughout the pregnancy about reading all the books that Regina had supplied her with throughout the pregnancy. Though she'd tried, the books were so big and overwhelming. She figured she'd pick up a cliff notes version or something later. And then the worst and possibly unforgivable act possible. She'd left her pregnant fiance – since she'd always been sure that she would one day marry her – in the hospital alone to fend for herself when she was needed most. She felt like such a failure.

Snow put her hand on her daughter's shoulder. When she leaned back into it with no resistance, she helped her stand and began to steer her toward her bedroom, "I don't think so dear. I think you need to catch at least a few hours before going back to the hospital. Come on, let's get you into bed," she helped pull her to her feet then began to help guide her over to her room.

"Regina needs me," Emma protested weakly wincing at how pathetic she sounded even to her own ears. When they got to her room she allowed her Mother to turn down the sheets then push her down to the bed and bend over to take off her shoes. She sat there weakly once again allowing her to take over. She sat staring down at her feet, still not able to process anything through the feeling of numbness that had taken over her brain from the moment the doctor began to list all the things that could go wrong with Regina and her baby.

The entire world had come crashing down on her shoulders as she realized that this was it. They were having a baby. And Regina had looked in so much pain. That alone nearly killed her. Her own pain she could handle. But just thinking of Regina or her baby being in any pain was something she just couldn't take. So she had instead shut down and been more than happy to soak up her Mother's comfort.

It scared her to know that people still died in childbirth despite all the advancements that had been made in recent years. And if Regina or her baby - . She shook her head. She couldn't even finish that thought.

The doctor standing there listing off all of the things that could go wrong with this pregnancy and delivery hit her even harder than before. She felt so helpless and inadequate.

She finally accepted what everyone had been telling them about since the beginning. They were too young to be parents. But now neither had a choice. And nothing had ever scared Emma more in this entire world.

"Regina is fine," Snow said as she helped Emma swing her legs over the bedside. She pushed her shoulders and helped her lie down among her pillows. Emma laid down tucked in the fetal position silently blinking up at her Mom with wide terror filled eyes that were beginning to mist. She handed her Mr. Biggles and was glad when Emma instantly squeezed her beloved bear. She smiled fondly as she looked down at her daughter who right now appeared so much younger and vulnerable than her 16 years.

"Having a baby takes a long time. Nature works on her own schedule and not ours. Regina is being taken care of by a team of doctors and experts. And if there was any news then Cora would've called us. It's still too early and if you go there now you'll do nothing except upset her and yourself. She said as she climbed into the bed beside her daughter. She held out her arms and Emma eagerly fell into them. "Now rest," she commanded softly as she tapped her on her chin dimple before leaning over and giving her a kiss.

Emma rested her head on her Mother's shoulder. She was sure she'd never be able to sleep. But between the familiar, homey scent of her Mother and Mr. Biggles squeezed tightly in her arms she never even realized she'd fallen asleep.

Snow lay there drowsily watching her daughter glad that she had been able to offer her some comfort during this difficult time. Although she loved Regina and accepted that she and Emma were partners, she had never been happy about how she had this effect on Emma.

She understood that it was the true love that the two girls shared that made every emotion between the two of them more intense than in other couples. But in her opinion, Emma seemed to be more affected by Regina than anything else. No one and nothing else in the world existed for her.

When Regina was upset with her, Emma took it as a personal rejection. She worried herself literally sick trying to figure out what she could do to make it all up to her again. She was surprised she didn't already have an ulcer since Regina's Latina blood tended to make her emotionally volatile. Emma's dependency on her sometimes downright terrified Snow just for this reason. There would always be things out of both of their controls and then where would that leave her poor baby Emma? Though Emma had always been a wild child and kept up a front as a rebel, she also wore her heart on her sleeve. And in the wrong hands that was a dangerous thing.

But she'd also seen the way that Regina allowed nothing and no one to hurt Emma. She'd been there to witness firsthand the tenacity with which Regina fought for her daughter. And it helped calm her to know that she was in safe hands for life.

She wriggled around until she found a comfortable position for herself. And with a small sigh and her daughter's light snoring in the background, within minutes it was fade to black.

RQ

Emma had jumped out of her parent's car as soon as her Dad had pulled up along the hospital entrance to let her and her Mother out. Then she ran inside.

When she got to the room, Regina and Cora were just getting up for the morning. Emma had heaved a huge grateful sigh. After making sure that Regina was alright she'd asked her Aunt Cora if she could give them a few moments of privacy. Cora had gratefully excused herself to the bathroom to do some freshening up.

Emma now stood with her head bowed as Regina's wrath rained down on her about last night. She knew she deserved it so she offered no protest. She swallowed thickly and fidgeted nervously as the machines that she was attached too began to beat louder and faster. Her own heartrate began to speed up as she heard nothing that was being yelled at her over the sounds of the beeping.

"I'm sorry," she raised her eyes to meet her girlfriends. "But can you ream me out later? Like after the baby gets here?" she gestured to the machines whose beeping had sped up so fast it almost sounded like one long endless buzz.

Regina glared at her before turning to stare at the blank wall as she tried to calm herself by taking long, deep breaths. She knew getting herself worked up would lead to nothing good. Her high blood pressure was one of the reasons her doctor had put her on strict bedrest last night.

Thankfully she had secured an appointment to see a specialist who'd give her basically a crash course in Lamaze and baby care. She would finally be shown her how to swaddle, diaper, and burp her child properly. Her sweet nurse from last night had helped to take her through the steps of controlling her breathing. She'd also shown Regina how to access the birthing videos that were just a couple of clicks away on the remote control. She and Cora had been in the process of watching them when the Nolan's had returned to her room that morning.

"Hrmph!?" Regina crossed her arms over as much of her belly as she could. She was still so angry. Emma had basically left her high and dry while she'd cuddled up to her Mommy. And she was the one who was called a Mama's girl.

Everytime things got really tough Emma ran straight home to her Mommy all over again. She was running low on patience when it came to dealing with the situation.

But when she looked at her love's eyes she saw the fear that she knew was nothing more than a reflection of her own. She knew that if their positions were reversed she'd barely be able to stand watching Emma go through what she was going through.

For the sake of their baby and her sanity, she relented. She knew this argument had to be tabled for later.

"My back hurts," she said in way of conciliation knowing that Emma would eagerly take the peace offering for what it was worth.

Emma immediately sprang into action. She was glad that Regina was calming down. She climbed up on the bed and maneuvered around until she was sitting behind Regina. She began to rub her back as Regina lay on her side with her eyes closed enjoying the massage.

"Do you have anything more to say for yourself?" Regina asked as she leaned further into Emma's hands.

"I think Aunt Cora and Uncle Henry were having sex when I went to get them for you," Emma cringed at the memory.

The comment was so unexpected that Regina had no choice but to laugh. Her Em had a weird habit of blurting out the weirdest things at some of the worst times. But she was all hers. And she wouldn't have her any other way.

Emma joined in the laughter too. She was glad she'd been able to take Regina's mind off of what they were all afraid of. Even if it was just for a moment.

"I love you, you know," Regina whispered as she pressed her lips against the arm that Emma had wrapped around her shoulders.

Emma kissed the top of her true love's head, "always and forever."

RQ

When Papa Pope arrived at the hospital the next morning he found things pretty much as his nurses had informed him earlier at staff change. Regina had already been given another epidural so she was feeling no pain. Everyone was just anxious and nervous. He'd checked her chart and then her pelvis. He'd frowned as he'd stared at the printouts from the monitors but still gave the family a friendly smile as he promised he'd be back after checking on Regina's labs.

Henry and Zelena were next to arrive. Thankfully they'd brought breakfast for everyone. Cora gratefully dug into the coffee as she tried working the kinks out of her body from having slept in a cramped bed all night. Regina hungrily dug into her Granny's takeout box.

Emma was grateful that Regina's and their baby's health hadn't gotten any worse. She was still silently blaming herself for making them miss the Lamaze classes that they obviously needed. She vowed to herself to never put anything above her baby or her love ever again. Letting them down was not even an option for her.

After they'd had their fill of breakfast, Regina and Cora took turns showering and getting dressed. It was a little difficult for Regina to maneuver around alone but Emma was there to help her.

Throughout all of this, the nurse's had come in often to check on Regina's progress and chart the results. She had been informed that they had scheduled an appointment for her to talk with the lactation nurse later that day.

After spending the next few hours with the Lamaze coach and watching the hospital's video library of birthing and childcare videos, the doctor finally returned. Normally they were glad to see him. Regina loved his bedside manner. He didn't treat her like a stupid kid. He always addressed her as just a regular patient. But today the sight of him just brought more stress.

Papa Pope gave a curt nod around the room before turning to Regina. "How's our Mama to be doing?"

Regina raised an eyebrow at him, "shouldn't you be telling us that?"

Papa Pope chuckled, "well I see you haven't really been taking our advice too well. I did tell you that your blood pressure being elevated wasn't a good thing," he chided gently.

Cora was instantly on alert, "Is there something wrong?"

The doctor puckered his lips as he weighed his words, "Due to Regina's blood pressure and the results of the tests we took last night I'm afraid that holding off the labor isn't going to be a good idea."

Emma gasped. She stood from the chair she'd been sitting on beside Regina's bed and instead sat beside her on the bed. She interlaced their fingers. Regina instantly began to squeeze her hand. Emma understood without even having to look at her. This was as scary for her as she knew it had to be for Regina.

Cora stroked a hand across Regina's head, frowning she asked, "are you thinking a c-section?"

Again Papa Pope hesitated before turning back to Regina herself. "We're afraid that time is of the essence here. So yes that means we're going to take you in for a c-section."

The words sounded like a doomsday prophecy. They landed as heavily as Thor's hammer in the heat of battle. A c-section meant a longer and more difficult recovery. Not to mention the thought of someone cutting into her made her feel all squiffy. Though she was now terrified, Regina pushed her own personal fears away as she nodded, "I want to do whatever is best for the baby."

Papa Pope smiled and nodded, "I'll send in the nurse who will get you started. Then we'll meet again in the delivery room."

"It'll be okay, babe. It's for our baby," Emma tried to muster up a smile for her but it fell somewhere between a grimace and a barely suppressed sob.

Before anyone else could move or say anything, a nurse came in with authorization forms. Cora frowned down at them, reading through them carefully as she filled them out while the nurse went over the basics of the c-section routine and then asked if there were any questions. She gave Regina some chalky white stuff to drink once her Mother returned the forms then left the family saying she'd be back in a little while to place a catheter in.

The room was quiet as the tension in the air became thick enough to make the room explode. No one wanted to give voice to the fear that everyone was feeling. Instead Cora and Henry huddled together on one side of the room, Snow and David did the same on the opposite side, Zelena's texting on her phone began to speed up and Regina and Emma sat on the bed with their heads leaning up against one another and their hands laced over her baby bump.

The nurse and anesthesiologist were back far too quickly for the likes of Regina. Her heart was beating double time and though she tried to control her breathing as she'd been taught recently, she was terrified and hid it poorly. The anesthesiologist gave them another brief run-down on what was about to happen then upped Regina's epidural. The nurse had everyone clear the room so that she could shave Regina and place a catheter in. Cora and Emma both insisted on staying so she nodded her head and went to work. Afterward she turned toward the both of them, "I'm sorry but only one of you are allowed in the delivery room. Which one of you wants to go?"

Cora stepped up automatically, "I am." The nurse nodded and handed her some scrubs. She told her she could change now but that she'd scrub with them in the operating room.

Emma frowned and dropped her head even though she knew it was the right choice. Still she felt a sharp pang in her heart knowing that once again she was missing one of the milestones of becoming a parent.

Regina looked at her apologetically and slipped her hand into hers, "next time." She knew she was supposed to be grown up now. But at this moment all she could think about was how scared she was and wanting the comfort that her Mother gave to her.

The nurse turned toward Regina, "Someone will be in to get you in a moment."

Once the nurse left, the rest of the family returned to see Regina off. Zelena walked over to the bed and gave Regina one of her rare shows of affection. She gave her a light punch in the arm, "See ya on the other side," she smiled at her before dropping a kiss onto her head. And just to prove she hadn't gone soft she added, "loser." Regina shook her head and rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back her smile for her big sister.

Henry peppered her with so many kisses over her face that she began to giggle, "Basta Papi! I'm going to be fine."

"Yo se mijita linda," Henry nodded. "Pero mi bebé está teniendo un bebé. Nunca es fácil dejar ir a su niña."

Regina stuck out her bottom lip, "Nada está cambiando. Siempre seré tu niña."

The nurse came back with an aide. "It's time," she said as she began to collect the monitoring equipment and pack it onto the bed. She made sure the arm rests were up and that there was nothing trailing on the floor before she and the aide began to wheel the bed Regina lay on out of the room.

"We'll see you in just a little while honey," Snow leaned over and gave her a hug that was so tight Regina thought she'd cut off her circulation.

David took his turn as the bed rolled past him. Regina could see that his eyes were misty and he was trying hard to hold his emotions back, "take care sweetheart. Of you and our grandson," he hugged her just as enthusiastically as his wife had.

Next in the processional, came Emma. Regina had been trying really hard to hold back her tears. Her Mother had taught them that being public figures, they had to be careful about what they allowed the world to see. But seeing the raw emotion on her lover's face cut her to the core. Her eyes became waterlogged and she began to sniffle as she tried to hold the tears at bay.

Emma couldn't get a word out. But her red rimmed eyes and the way that her throat bobbed continuously said it all.

Regina reached out and took her head clasping it tightly in hers, "I love you. Always and forever."

Emma nodded and managed to choke out, "always and forever." Then her tears began to run in earnest and the sobs she had been trying to hold in broke free. Snow went to her and wrapped her arms around her. David quickly followed suit as the nurse wheeled Regina away.

When they got to the operating room, things started to happen way too fast for Regina. Her eyes grew wide as she took in the foreign environment. The nurse helped her move from the bed to the operating table. Her legs were directed into another pair of stirrups and a curtain was laid across the lower section of her body.

Cora was shown to the scrub area and given strict instructions to adhere to. The nurse gave her a mask and a hair net and quickly went through the wash steps and made her way back to her daughter.

Emma had watched Regina be wheeled away from her through a hazy film of tears. She'd buried her head in her Mother's shoulder as her tears fell and soaked both of their shirts. This was a mistake. And she knew it. She should be there. She had to be there for Regina and her baby.

She closed her eyes and conjured up images of Regina. She felt the familiar tug of their true love magic running through her veins. Then the next thing she knew, she was staring down at her as she laid on an operating table.

Regina gasped and started upright, "Emma!"

Emma smiled at her weakly, "I guess my magic didn't get the message of staying away."

By this time, Papa Pope had entered the room from the scrub area. His eyelids blinked rapidly at this surprise.

Emma grabbed Regina's hand and insisted, "I'm not leaving her!"

Papa Pope shook his head and called for the nurse. He told her to help get Emma scrubbed up as well. Emma gave Regina a quick peck then hurried to follow the nurse's instructions.

Once everyone was scrubbed and gloved, Papa Pope went to the end of the table. Cora held onto Regina's hand on one side while Emma squeezed her hand on the other. They all collectively held their breath as they waited anxiously.

"I'm making the first incision now," he warned. Regina stiffened but was pleasantly surprised to feel no pain. She did feel the prodding and tugging though. Though it didn't hurt it was extremely uncomfortable and had her gritting her teeth as it seemed to go on forever.

Suddenly there's give. And then a wet sloshing sound followed by a flurry of motion as the nurse and the doctor's aide all become involved. Emma and Regina both hold their breaths and lock eyes as they hear the first small cry from their baby boy. The tears that they had been holding back suddenly begin to flow free down both of their cheeks.

"Emma, would you like to cut the cord?" Papa Pope asks, his eyes crinkling as they hear the smile in his voice.

Emma looks down at Regina who nods to her. She walks over to the end of the table and for a minute all she can do is stare in wide-eyed wonder at the squirming little red bundle whose cries sound like that of a kitten. When she's prompted again by the doctor she takes the scissors and snips the cord just below the clamp.

Cora strokes Regina's hair lovingly after dropping a kiss on top of it. She's craning her neck trying to get a look at her grandson at the same time she's trying to offer her daughter the support she needs to get through this.

The nurse grabs the baby and takes him over to the opposite side of the room. Emma follows close behind her and stands just over her shoulder staring at her little man. He's so small. And now he's gone from red to a pleasant shade of pink. She's mesmerized by his every twitch as she watches the nurse clean him then wrap him in a loose blanket while the doctor comes over to administer the APGAR test. When he's given a clean bill of health, he is handed to Emma who's instructed to bring him over to meet his Mom.

Regina receives the warm wriggly little bundle with a grateful smile. She stares at him through her tears intently trying to memorize everything about him as she inhales lungfuls of his fresh baby smell. He dark lashes blinked to reveal Emma's mossy green eyes. And he had a shocking amount of Regina's thick dark hair atop his head. It was so shaggy it looked like he needed a haircut already.

After a few minutes to ooh and aah over the baby, the nurse comes over and places an ID/security tag around his ankle. She puts one around Regina's wrist and looks questioningly between the family as to who gets the last one. Emma shoves her wrist out to hers and breaths a sigh of relief when she clips it in place. The nurse then explains that they're still not finished yet and she will need to take the baby to the NICU to continue observing him.

The nurse tells Emma that she can follow them into the NICU. Emma nervously looks over to Regina who nods her head vigorously letting her know that it was okay. After another quick peck to her forehead, she follows them into the next room while the baby is given his first bath with Emma standing close by supervising.

She holds his tiny hand in hers marveling at how an entire person can be so small yet fill her with so much emotion all at the same time without even being aware of it. She's always known the love that she holds for Regina was true. And it makes her feel like she's flying on cloud 9. But the love she feels for her son fills her with so much joy and happiness that she thinks she'll explode from it.

She knows she must look and sound a wreck as she whispers softly to her son while taking the opportunity to touch his still squirming body as much as she can. But the nurse smiles patiently at her and continues getting him cleaned, diapered, and dressed. She places him inside a warmer but lets Emma know she's free to continue to stay with him as she begins her charting.

Regina, meanwhile, has to continue to grit her teeth through the tedious slow torture of being sewn back up. She fights the cold and nausea as a nurse throws a heated blanket over her to help fight the chills that she suddenly comes down with. The feeling in her legs begin to come back gradually and she's not sure yet if she's grateful for that or not.

She's wan and more exhausted than she's ever been in her entire life. Her body isn't hurting but it does begin to itch all over. After the doctor is finished stitching her back up he asks her how she's doing. She glares at him as if he's lost his mind. She wants to scream that she wants her baby and she's also starting to ache along her nether regions. Instead, she mentions the itching sensation she feels all over and he gives her some antihistamine and a pump that administers pain meds since the epidural had begun to wear off. He congratulates her and Cora both and tells them that she did well. He leaves after explaining that she'll be wheeled back to her room and her son will join her there shortly.

Once they got back to her room, the family crowded around shooting questions at them. Yes, the baby is healthy and also the most beautiful baby that's ever existed. And he should be along shortly.

Before the nurse left she hands her some mesh underwear, a pad, and asks if she needs help in the shower. Cora assures her that she has everything covered. She sends everyone away while she helps Regina get washed up in the bathroom. They say their goodbyes as they head over to the nursery to check out their newest family member.

She slips into a new gown before sliding into the bed. "He's beautiful isn't he Mother?" Even over an hour later she can still smell his scent all over her. This must be how animals identify their family.

Cora continues tucking her daughter in securely. "Yes dear," she nods. "He's quite a looker. It runs in the family," she tweaks her nose earning her a wide grin.

"That's a lot of hair on his head. That's unusual for babies isn't it? I thought he was going to be bald for a while," she lay back against the pillows and uses the remote to adjust the headboard.

Cora puckers her lips while nodding, "that was quite a bit of hair. We know he definitely didn't get that from your Father," she winks at her daughter as she tries not to laugh too hard since her stitches twinge when she does.

All of a sudden there's noise and movement outside the door. It swings open and in walks Emma grinning cheek to cheek and pushing the isolette along with a nurse following close behind them. She moves it over to the bed and parks it right beside Regina. The rest of the family make up the tail end of the processional.

Regina only has eyes for her son as she stares at him through the clear glass. The nurse steps over and opens the lid and carefully takes out the baby before handing him to his Mother. Regina again buries her face in his neck as tears stream down her face.

The nurse leaves to give them some time though she tells them she'll be back soon to talk about the rest of the expectations from here on out for her and the baby. She also reminds them of the appointment with the lactating nurse.

The family crowds around in a circle as the coo over the baby who's busy making small baby noises and swinging his head around as he zeros in on another noise that's caught his attention. She has Emma grab the blanket that Ruby's Granny stitched for him out of her bag and swaddles him in it the way that she had been taught earlier. It's a white blanket with an emerald green ribbon around it.

Emma clears her throat loudly making everyone's head swing toward her, "Now family, we are both proud to announce to you all, the arrival of Henry David Mills," announces proudly the name that they had finally managed to agree on just a few weeks ago as she gestures to her son with a flourish and even more tears. Henry Sr. gasped then began to pepper his daughter and grandson with kisses as he thanked them for this honor.

They had settled on the name just a few weeks ago. Granny had been sworn to secrecy to never reveal it to anyone before she'd set to work stitching his initials in emerald green in a corner of the blanket.

Pictures were snapped and laughter, tears, joy, and congratulations can be heard all around. As the baby makes a pass around the room greeting his new family members one by one, Emma climbed in beside Regina in her bed.

"He's all ours," she hooked her arm around her shoulder. She gave her a deep kiss, neither caring about the audience around them. "Thank you for giving him to me," she whispered as she pulled back.

"Always and forever," Regina leaned her forehead against Emma's chin as she finally warmed for the first time since before the delivery from all the love that had filled the room.

"Always and forever," Emma threaded her fingers into hers. She ran a light kiss around her knuckles. She nodded as she watched her family around the room. The joy that had filled her at seeing her son for the first time was still radiating throughout her entire being. It had vanquished all of the fears, doubts, and worries that had plagued them all just hours ago. She brought her forehead to Regina's staring her in the eyes, "sounds perfect to me."