Chapter Text
Regina woke up startled by the disruption of magic around town. A fireball instinctively appeared in her hand. Magic was wonky in this strange world, but still worked sometimes. She sat still in bed and tried to listen, to feel, to see. Anything that could tell her what was happening. What could have caused this disruption? She couldn’t exactly call Graham and tell him to go for a round around town just because she felt something disrupting its magic. No. She would have to do it for herself.
(...)
Emma squinted her eyes in the darkness trying to see anything ahead. That sign definitely wasn’t there a minute ago. “Fuck,” she cursed under her breath and got out of her car to have a better look around. With some luck the bug wouldn’t be damaged. Emma caressed her belly, talking low with the baby kicking inside her. She didn’t know where she was. She had never heard of this Storybrooke town before. Where was she? Emma shook her head and took a deep breath, realizing that for the first time in years she was breathing pure air. She took another deep breath, filling her lungs and smiled. She still couldn’t see much ahead because it was pitch dark but she imagined it was some very small town she had bumped in. “Okay, kid, let’s find a nice spot to sleep.” Emma caressed her pregnant belly again and entered her car. It was just after midnight, and if there was one thing Emma knew about small towns, it was that she wouldn't find anything open at this hour. And that small-town people hardly liked being disturbed late at night by a stranger.
She drove around for a while until she found a path that led to the forest and shrugged. “Maybe we can spend the night here and tomorrow morning I’ll see if I can find a place for us to stay or at least some work, kid.” Emma talked sleepy. She was tired and broken. Emma pulled her seat back leaning her head against the seat rest and looked at the sky. She couldn’t remember the last time she saw such a beautiful sky and slowly tears started to fall down her cheeks. She was pregnant and alone. At least she had some money from the watches Neal had stolen. She managed to catch them and then a mysterious guy appeared on his bike saying he was the buyer. Emma didn’t care to question him. Somehow he seemed familiar and something like a distant memory nudged at the back of Emma’s head while he talked to her. She sold him the watches and catched the money and didn’t dare to look back while she drove away from him. She didn’t have a place to go, or anyone to rely on so she decided to leave all behind and find a new place she could call home. Find her own Tallahassee.
Emma closed her eyes tighter and choked on a sob. She was used to people leaving her, to being replaced. To being unlovable. At least now she would have her little boy and he would love her unconditionally like she already loved him.
(...)
Regina paced her bedroom. No one could enter Storybrooke. The town was concealed by magic. That place didn’t even exist. She stopped at her closet and wondered for a moment what she should wear. She didn’t know what she could find out there and needed to be ready for anything. When she felt satisfied with herself Regina went to her car and started driving around town to see if she could find anything that would tell her what had disturbed the barrier.
The night was cold and dark and Regina cursed under breath while trying to see anything. She went to the town line, to the small road that led to the forest and all places she could think of, but didn’t find anything. She was starting to think she was going crazy. Everyday was the same in this place and Regina hadn’t much to do in this small town. Not even Snow White to hunt because she was cursed to be a kindergarten teacher now. Her days were boring and she almost missed the Enchanted Forest, if it wasn't for all the facilities she had here. All her enemies were dead, tamed or imprisoned and Regina missed that feeling of adrenaline rushing through her veins, she missed having someone that challenged her, that made her feel something. With a huff she drove back home and changed once again. It was probably this strange world and her wonky magic but Regina knew better than just let it go. In the morning she would put Graham on patrol just in case.
(...)
Emma woke up with the Sun bathing her face and groaned. Her back ached, her legs, everything. And she was hungry. “Okay, kid, let’s find a place to eat before you devour me from the inside.” Emma chuckled and started the bug. She drove slowly around town until she found a cozy dinner. Her stomach rumbled and Emma licked her lips. She grabbed her wallet, a coat and got out of the car. “Shit.” She cursed when the door slipped from her hand and slammed shut.
“Hey, are you okay over there?” A tall brunette asked from the door of the dinner.
“Yes,” Emma smiled. “The door just… you know.” Emma shrugged. She looked at the girl in front of her and thought she couldn’t be much older than herself. “So, you work here?” Emma walked the path that led to the dinner’s door.
“Yes.” Ruby tilted her head. In all those years she lived in Storybrooke she’d never seen someone new in town. That was good, she thought. And helped that this new girl was pretty. “I’m Ruby.” She smiled at the blonde.
“Hi, I’m Emma. Emma Swan.” She stretched her hand to the brunette. “And we’re starving.” She caressed her belly and only then Ruby seemed to notice that the blonde was pregnant.
Ruby swallowed her curiosity and led Emma inside. She couldn’t be much older than Ruby. Where was the baby’s father? Where’s her parents? Somehow this Emma Swan seemed familiar to Ruby, her features resembled her of someone… someone she couldn’t reach in her memory. She shook her head and gestured for Emma to take a seat and gave her the menu.
“I’ll want a grilled cheese, strawberry pie, fries, a chocolate milkshake and-”
“Jesus!” Ruby’s eyes widened. “Are you sure you can eat all that? I mean… it’s okay for the baby?”
“I think so.” Emma shrugged. “Don’t worry, I eat healthy things too.”
“Okay.” Ruby took Emma’s order and gave it to Granny’s. Then she went to attend another customer.
While Emma waited for her order she took the opportunity to look around the dinner. There were only a few customers and they seemed very friendly, except for that guy in the corner who mumbled something to Ruby. He seemed… grumpy . She smiled at how easily Ruby dealt with him and turned to look at the movement on the street. Emma caressed her belly unconsciously while watching a woman pushing a baby stroll. She needed to buy one for her baby boy, and she needed to find out if there was a doctor in this town so she could make an appointment. Emma had a feeling that she would be staying here for a while. For the first time in a long time she wanted to settle and just live. Emma was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of plates on her table. She turned and smiled at Ruby who was placing her order in front of her. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Hey, Ruby.” Emma called when the brunette turned to leave. “Do you know a place where I can stay? I didn’t see a hotel in this town.”
“Oh,” Ruby grinned. “We have a B&B in the back. Granny will be happy to have a new guest.”
“Can you take me there after I finish here?”
“Sure!”
“Ruby! Stop chatting with the customers and go do your job!” An old woman yelled from the kitchen.
“I’m getting you a new guest!” Ruby yelled back. “You could thank me just for once.” She turned to Emma and smiled. “Finish your breakfast then I’ll take you to the B&B.”
Ruby left and Emma resumed eating. That grilled cheese was the best she had eaten in her life. And so was the milkshake and everything else. After finishing her breakfast Emma paid for her food and waited for Ruby. She couldn’t stop smiling. Despite everything she was feeling proud of herself. She didn’t need to steal her food and didn’t need to eat small portions. She could eat whatever she wanted and she could pay for it without the fear of being caught.
“Granny, I’m taking our new guest to the B&B!” Ruby announced and took Emma’s arm, leading the way to the back of the restaurant to a small path covered in leaves and to a wooden door. She stopped behind the counter and grabbed Granny’s register book. “So, how long will you be staying?”
“I don’t know.” Emma shrugged. “Maybe a month.” She took her wallet and pulled out her card. “Do you know if there’s a doctor I can see? You know…” Emma gestured towards her belly. She gave Ruby her card and waited.
“We have only one hospital. But I don’t think Dr. Whale is an obstetrician.” Ruby frowned. “You will have to ask.”
“Okay.” Emma took her card back. “Where is this hospital?”
(...)
Regina looked absently out of her window while eating her breakfast. Not for the first time thinking how big and cold that house was. There were days where she wouldn’t even think about the Enchanted Forest and all the hell she went through, but there were days, like this one, where she would miss her father too much that it almost hurt her physically. She closed her eyes and tried to shake those thoughts away. She had a town to rule and she couldn't afford to plunge into silly feelings like longing. She had made a choice many years ago. Her father had said she could be happy, she could leave all that behind and she did. Of course, her father hadn’t meant she should have killed him in the process. Regina swallowed the rest of her coffee and went to her bedroom to change. She needed to stop at the police station before going to the city hall.
“Graham!” Regina barked when she entered the police station.
“Good morning madam mayor.” Graham smiled. Apparently Regina was in a mood, he thought. “What can I do for you?”
“There was someone lurking around my house last night.”
Graham stood, eyes shining with concern. “Something happened to you?”
“No, I’m fine.” Regina said almost softly. Her huntsman was always ready to protect her, even if it was because she had his heart in a box. “But I want you to make a round around town and see if you find anything.”
“Sure.” He took his gun and his badge and strapped to his belt. “Should I stop by your house tonight? You know, to keep you safe.” He leaned into her space, his lips brushing hers.
“Yes.” Regina closed her eyes and pulled him for a kiss. She felt her body heathen up when his strong hands cupped her ass and reluctantly pulled away. The idea of fucking him right here crossed her mind for a moment, but she wouldn’t never do that. She was a Queen, not some horny teenager who couldn’t control her hormones. “Let me know if you find anything.” She exited the police station and entered in her car, driving to the city hall.
(...)
Emma drove to the hospital Ruby indicated her and filled in for an appointment with this Dr. Whale, apparently he was the most popular doctor there. She sat in an armchair near the window and looked outside. Emma was used to being alone but just for once it would be nice to have someone at her side, supporting her, taking care of her. She caressed her belly absently while waiting for her turn.
When the nurse called her and Emma entered the doctor's office she felt a shiver run down her spine and it only intensified when Dr. Whale entered. The guy had a smile that tried to be friendly, but Emma knew a lot of guys like him.
"Hello, Miss Swan." He held out his hand to greet her. "I'm Dr. Whale. I saw on your record that you are pregnant, a few months into the pregnancy, right?"
"Yes." Emma exhaled. "I'm taking some vitamins and did some ultrasounds..."
"Okay, this looks good." Whale nodded and placed her file on the table. "I'm going to check your vitals and have a blood test, these usual things and then we'll do an ultrasound, okay?"
"Yes." Emma sighed and settled herself on the bed the doctor indicated.
As Whale examined her, Emma began to relax slightly. She looked around and took in everything in the small room. Although Whale still gave her the creeps, the place was cozy and he was really trying hard.
"So, Emma." He smiled, pulling the young blonde out of her thoughts. "Ready for the ultrasound?" He waited for her to nod and then applied the gel to her belly. "Let's see what we have here." He slid the device over her belly and little by little the baby's images appeared on the small monitor. "Here we are. It's a boy."
"Yes, that I already knew." Emma said softly.
"And have you chosen a name for him yet?"
"Not yet." Emma said nervously. She didn't have many male references in her life and most of them weren't even good.
"And the baby's father? Is he around?"
"He's not in the picture." Emma said seriously.
"Oh." Whale looked at her quickly with a small smile and then turned his attention to the screen. "Well, better alone than in bad company, right?"
"Definitely." Emma nodded.
"We are ready, Emma." Whale handed her some sheets of paper for her to wipe the gel off her belly and headed for his table. "Here are your ultrasound images."
"Thanks."
"Don't forget to make an appointment for the next exams."
"Okay."
(...)
After the appointment Emma decided to take a walk around the town to see if she could find a place where she could buy some more clothes for her and the baby and other things she would need for her son. Emma found a small store where she managed to buy some things and then went to the pharmacy to buy more vitamins and other medicines that she liked to keep as a precaution. When she was satisfied with her shopping she went back to the dinner for lunch.
"Hey, Emma." Ruby greeted her. "How was it with the doctor?"
"He's weird." Emma shivered.
"He is, but he is a good person."
"If you say so." Emma shrugged.
"So, what can I do for you?"
"We're hungry again." Emma laughed. "What do you recommend to us?"
"One of Granny's specialties is lasagna."
"Then I want one." Emma smiled contentedly. "And I also want pineapple juice with mint."
"You're weird." Ruby smiled. "I'll be right back with your order."
While waiting for her lunch Emma decided to check her cell phone for the news of the day or anything that could keep her mind busy. She knew that at this point it would be difficult to find a job, no one wants to hire a woman about to give birth just to have to dismiss her for maternity leave.
Ruby arrived with Emma's order and placed it in front of her.
"Thanks, Ruby."
"You're welcome." Ruby bit her bottom lip. "Look, I don't want to give the wrong impression, and I don't know if this baby's dad is around or not, but if you need anything, Granny and I will be happy to be around, okay?"
Emma looked up from her plate and just stared at the brunette for a few moments. Throughout her life, few people have wanted to be around or volunteered so willingly to be around her. Emma wanted to believe in this stranger's words and something inside her said that she could blindly trust Ruby because she would protect her, but Emma knew better than to trust people. She saw the waitress shift from one foot to the other uncomfortably and thought she should answer something because that should be awkward for Ruby too. When Emma looked into the brunette's eyes before her something inside her snapped. She felt something strong towards Ruby, as if there was a much greater force that she still didn't know where it came from, but at that moment Emma decided that she would trust her. "Thank you, Ruby. It means a lot to me."
Ruby beamed at that and Emma felt her heart warm.
After lunch Emma went to her room at the B&B to organize the things she had bought for her and the baby and took the opportunity to take a warm, relaxing bath and then a nap.
When Emma woke up again it was almost late in the afternoon and she decided to go down to the dinner for a quick snack.
"Hey, Rubs," Emma smiled as she entered the dinner.
"Hey, Em." The brunette returned the smile and something inside her warmed up with the affectionate nickname Emma had given her. "I didn't see you during the afternoon."
"I went to get some rest." She stroked her belly. "This boy drains my energy."
"So, what can I get for you?"
"Hot chocolate with cream on top and two pieces of that delicious banana pie over there." Emma sat on the counter stool and licked her lips while Ruby prepared her order. Emma was so immersed in her snack that she didn't notice when the bell above the cafeteria door rang to indicate a new customer or the way everyone in the place seemed to hold their breath.
"This is far from a suitable meal for a pregnant woman."
A deep, husky voice made Emma shiver and she turned to face the owner of the voice. Emma's breath seemed to catch in her throat because in front of her was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen in her life.
Regina seemed to be slapped in the face when the woman turned. She was just a young woman who was probably not much older than she was when she was forced to marry that disgusting king, but that wasn't what left Regina speechless, no. What made Regina blink repeatedly while she seemed to have forgotten how to speak was that girl's resemblance to Snow White. "Who are you?" Regina swallowed and asked after a while.
"Apparently not everyone in town is as nice and polite as you are, Rubs." Emma stared at the woman for a moment and then turned to Ruby again.
"Em," Ruby said in a rushed tone. "She is the mayor of the town."
"Oh." Emma's eyes widened almost comically. "I'm sorry for my rudeness, madam mayor." She turned to look at the woman before her again. "My name is Emma. Emma Swan." Emma reached out to the woman to greet her.
Reluctantly Regina took Emma's hand and squeezed it more gently than she would have liked. "Regina Mills, mayor of Storybrooke. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Swan."
"Emma, please." The blonde smiled. "People only call me Miss Swan when I'm in trouble or when I was about to be kicked from one foster home to another."
The moment her hand touched Emma's, Regina felt warmth radiate through her body and as if sparks passed between her hand and Emma's. It was a strong thing and it left Regina dizzy for an instant. As if shocked, she withdrew her hand and swallowed, Emma's words finally registering in her mind. Regina felt torn. That woman, that Emma Swan seemed to have had a shitty life and if that were true, it was her fault. Regina felt her heart beat fast. This couldn't be happening. Not after everything she went through to get there. If that girl was really Snow White's daughter then Regina needed to get rid of her before she ruined her life's work. "Okay, Em-ma." Regina offered her her best politician smile. "And how long do you intend to stay in the town?"
"Still don't know." Emma shrugged. "Maybe until the baby is born. It would be nice to stay somewhere for a while and have some stability. Give my son the chance I didn't have."
Everyone in the dinner seemed to hold their breath as the exchanges between the two women took place and Ruby felt her body vibrate, ready to jump and attack if necessary. She wouldn't let anyone hurt Emma. There was something about this girl that made Ruby want to protect her from all harm.
"I understand." Regina's eyes darted across the girl's face and then landed on her belly. "Enjoy your snack, Emma. I'm sure we will run into each other again."
"I hope so, Regina."
For a moment Regina wanted to put that girl in her place. 'Who does she think she is to call me Regina? It is your Majesty.'
Regina's eyes seemed to burn with a mix of anger and amusement and something else Emma couldn't say what it was, but she chose to keep her mouth shut. If the look the woman was giving her at that moment was any indication, this Regina woman would be a pain in the ass.
"See you soon, Miss Swan." Regina turned and left the dinner like lightning. She took her car and drove straight to her vault. She needed to find out how that girl got into her town and who she really was.