Chapter Text
Snow was the last to leave, her voice still echoing that she would be “so happy to arrange a baby shower.”
“I don’t recall agreeing to a baby shower, especially one organised by your mother.” Regina muttered as Emma pulled her into the living room, slowly placing her on the sofa as she began to arrange logs on the fire.
“It could be worse.” The blonde chuckled as she lit a match, tossing it into the hearth as the flames immediately began to lick and curl.
“Really?” Regina snorted as Emma stood, stretched and turned.
“It could be Zelena.” She shrugged, taking a seat beside Regina who immediately curled into her side.
“Or, even worse, the pair of them working together.” Emma laughed out loud as Regina turned, eyes now boring into her.
“Seriously? You do realise I have them both as my Maids of Honor, Emma?!”
Emma bit her lip.
“Yeah. Kinda forgot that… but I’m sure it’ll all be fine-“
“For you, maybe! You have Henry and David as your wedding party; granted one is more intelligent than the other but I’m sure David will learn a thing or two from Henry-“
“Actually, I have three best men now. Mulan is joining them. She didn’t want to wear a dress and honestly, she’s likely to agree with Henry over David so I’m all good.”
Regina sighed as Emma turned her body, nudging the brunette to lay down as she lifted her legs onto her lap.
“At least you have Mal and Ruby as Chief Bridesmaids.” She offered as she removed Regina’s shoes before her fingers began to rub up and down the taught calf muscles under the brunette’s tailored slacks.
“Mmm…”’ was Regina’s only response as she sighed, eyes now closing as Emma’s fingers began to massage her aching feet.
“Damn it. I forgot I also said Rumple could be involved in the wedding in some way.” she suddenly muttered as her eyes opened, focusing on Emma whose fingers stilled.
“Why on earth would you want him involved? I mean… I know he’s trying….”
Emma stalled, not really knowing how to proceed as Regina nudged her toned stomach with her toes.
“He’s going to help my mother find a house, and gift it to her. Having him involved in our special day was how we sealed the agreement.”
Emma pondered this for a second before she nodded and continued to massage Regina’s feet.
“He can fucking marry us if that’s the case.” She mumbled under her breath as Regina let out a laugh.
“You really didn’t want her living here, did you?”
Emma sighed.
“A few days would have been okay, maybe even a few weeks but I had visions of her taking over the spare room indefinitely and that would have put a serious dampener on our bedroom Olympics, you know?”
Emma then grinned as the fingers on one hand began to skirt further up Regina’s leg under her trousers.
“Mmmm” was Regina’s response again as she suddenly waved her hand, her trousers vanishing into nothing.
“God I love magic” Emma moaned as she took in the sight before her. Olive toned skin, stretched out along the sofa before her eyes found purple, lace panties.
Regina watched Emma’s eyes darken before she waved a hand again, this time covering her hips and thighs with a soft throw.
“Hey! I was watching… that…” Emma muttered as Regina’s brow quirked.
“That?” she asked with a smirk as Emma sighed, her fingers now continuing to massage Regina’s bare feet and calf muscles again.
“The panties. Nice colour by the way.”
Regina chuckled and closed her eyes again. Her body felt heavy with the weight of twin lives growing inside her. Her hair was tousled, her cheeks flushed and as she moved again her eyes flew open, shimmering with frustration.
“I feel like a bloated whale,” she muttered, tugging the blanket over her bump. “I’m miserable and enormous and—”
Emma immediately stood and knelt on the carpeted floor beside her, her hands resting gently on the edge of the cushion.
“Hey,” she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Regina’s forehead. “You’re not enormous. You’re magnificent.”
Regina rolled her eyes, but Emma leaned in, her voice soft and steady. “Let me show you.”
She began at the crown of Regina’s head, her fingers tracing gentle circles. “I love this mind—sharp, fierce, and kind. You’ve built a beautiful life with it.”
She moved to Regina’s face, cupping her cheeks. “These eyes? They see everything. They saw me when I couldn’t see myself.”
Her hands drifted down, fingers brushing over Regina’s lips.
“Your lips… god I love your lips. The way you smile. And smirk. And laugh. How you whispered you loved me for the first time….”
Regina opened her lips slightly as Emma moved her hand downwards towards her beating heart.
“This heart has held me, challenged me, forgiven me when I’ve been an idiot. It’s the bravest thing I know.”
Emma’s touch continued—her palms gliding over the curve of Regina’s belly.
“And this body? It’s creating life. Two lives. That’s magic, Regina. That’s true love.”
Regina’s breath hitched, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
Emma kissed her fingertips and pressed them to Regina’s knees, then ankles, then toes. “From head to toe, you are breathtaking. You are loved. And you are so, so beautiful.”
Regina blinked, her lips trembling. “You really think so?”
Emma smiled, resting her head gently against Regina’s belly. “I know so. And so will they.”
Regina’s hand found Emma’s hair, threading through it with quiet affection. “You always know what to say.”
Emma looked up, eyes shining. “That’s because I know you. And I love every inch of you.”
Regina gasped softly, her hand flying to her belly. “Oh—Emma,” she murmured, eyes wide. “They kicked.”
Emma’s head was still resting gently against her bump, and she felt it too—a firm, fluttering thump beneath her cheek.
She sat up, eyes sparkling. “They did! I felt it!”
Regina’s expression shifted from weary to wonderstruck. “They’ve been quiet all evening. Maybe they heard you.”
Emma grinned and leaned in again, pressing a kiss to the curve of Regina’s belly. “Of course they did. They know love when they hear it.”
Another kick. Then a second, softer one.
Regina laughed, tears glistening. “They’re responding to you.”
Emma placed both hands gently over the bump, her voice low and reverent. “Hi, little ones. You’ve got the strongest, most beautiful mom in the world. And we can’t wait to meet you.”
Regina’s fingers threaded through Emma’s hair, her heart full. “You’re going to be amazing with them.”
Emma looked up, her eyes locked with Regina’s. “As will you, baby.”
The room was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of firelight. Regina lay back against the cushions, her hand resting over the rhythmic kicks of the twins. Emma sat beside her now, one leg tucked beneath her, humming a lullaby.
Regina closed her eyes, letting the melody wash over her. Each gentle hum seemed to soothe the ache in her back and the weight in her limbs.
She thought of the journey—how far she’d come from the woman who once built walls to protect herself. Now she was building a family. A future. And Emma… Emma had become her anchor, her mirror, her home.
“I used to think love had to be earned,” Regina whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “That I had to be perfect to deserve it.”
Emma paused her tune, brushing her fingers along Regina’s arm. “You don’t have to earn anything. You are loved because you’re you.”
Regina looked down at her belly, where two tiny lives stirred. “They’ll grow up knowing that, won’t they? That love isn’t conditional. That it’s safe.”
Emma nodded, her eyes shining. “Because they’ll see it every day—in how you hold them, how you speak to them, how you love me and Henry.”
Regina smiled, tears slipping down her cheeks. “You make me feel beautiful. Even now.”
Emma leaned in, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Especially now.”
Regina’s smile made Emma feel light.
“I thought everyone took the news about them well.” She continued, tapping her stomach as Emma nodded, her fingers dancing slowly under the throw.
The roaring fire continued to crackle in the hearth as Regina’s hand rested on her bump.
“Yup. Though I can’t believe I had to explain the ‘bun in the oven’ metaphor to my mom.”
Regina laughed, eyes opening again.
“Well, your mother has always been a little slow on the uptake, darling.”
Emma grinned as her phone buzzed in her pocket. Pulling it free she scrolled before stopping.
“Jesus. Snow is already asking me for a guest list for the baby shower.”
Regina rolled her eyes and settled back down into the comfort of the couch, her toes now dipping under Emma’s top.
“At least she has stopped with the ridiculous baby names.” The brunette continued as Emma shivered at the touch.
“Speaking of names, I kinda have a great one for the little guy.”
Regina cocked her head as her toes continued to move up and down Emma’s stomach.
“Oh?l” she asked as Emma moved closer.
“Mmm. I was thinking Luke, because then he can say “I am your son” and you can say, “Nooo, I am your mother!”
Regina smirked. “That’s Star Wars and deeply unsettling.”
Emma grinned. “Exactly, it’s iconic! Plus he’ll be the coolest kid in daycare, besides his sister.”
Regina rolled her eyes playfully as Emma replaced her phone in her pocket and continued her ministrations.
“And for nugget, I think Leia. Still Star Wars but classy. Royal. Rebel. Like you.”
Regina's expression softened as she looked at Emma.
“You’re just trying to name our children after your favourite fandoms.”
Emma paused. “Maybe. But come on, Leia Swan-Mills? That name says “I will overthrow your evil empire and still be home for dinner.”
Regina’s lips twitched.
“And what if she wants to be a dentist?”
Emma wriggled her eyebrows.
“Then she’ll be the fiercest damn dentist in the realm.”
Regina chuckled as she re-positioned herself now beside Emma, thighs touching as she rested her head on the blondes shoulder. Emma’s arm immediately wrapped around her as Regina placed the blanket across them both.
“You know, if we’re talking about fandoms we should name them after someone from Passions. Cora would be thrilled. Maybe “Miguel” and “Isabella”.
Regina arched an eyebrow.
“We are not naming our children after soap opera characters. Especially ones from that god awful show.”
Emma gasped.
“Awful?”
“Yes, Emma. Or maybe terrible would be more sufficient. Honestly it’s like someone filmed a fevered induced dream and then forgot to edit it.”
“Excuse you—Passions is a masterpiece. There’s romance, betrayal, magic, and time travel. What more could you want?”
Regina smirked. “A plot that doesn’t involve amnesia, evil twins, and spontaneous possession would be a good start.”
Emma snorted. “That’s the charm! It’s chaos with heart. And Cora loves it, which means it’s basically family-approved.”
Regina raised an eyebrow with exaggerated elegance.
“If that show is family-approved, I’m adopting a new one.”
Emma let out a gasp as her hand flew to her chest in mock exaggeration.
“You take that back. Isabella and Miguel are the blueprint for epic love.”
“No my darling. They’re the blueprint for poor decision-making and dramatic sighing.”
Emma crossed her arms, eyes twinkling. “You just don’t understand passion”.
Regina shifted as she brushed a strand of hair from Emma’s face.
“Oh, I understand passion Miss Swan. I just prefer mine without commercial breaks and haunted paintings.”
Emma let out a laugh as she pulled Regina in closer, resting her forehead against the brunettes.
“You’re lucky you’re hot.”
Regina shrugged, eyes twinkling as Emma suddenly gasped.
“Madam Mayor, did you just remove my jeans?” she asked as cold air immediately hit her thighs.
“Maybe.”
Emma chuckled as she lifted the blanket before dropping it.
“Just checking we were still in our panties.” She grinned as Regina placed a chaste kiss on her neck.
“You’re ridiculous.”
Emma pulled her in closer.
“You love it.” She mumbled as her lips kissed Regina’s forehead.
The fire continued to crackle softly. Emma was now lying back against the soft cushions, Regina nestled close, her head resting on Emma’s lap.
“So I forgot to tell you. Hook wants to rent a place in Storybrooke. Like, a proper house. With plumbing. And walls. And a mailbox.”
Regina stirrred as she turned on Emma’s lap, eyes now looking up at the blonde.
“Is he finally giving up the pirate lifestyle?”
Emma shrugged.
“Maybe? He said Will wanted to stick around for Marian and that some of the Merry Men had returned to the forest so he was feeling a little lonely”
Regina snorted.
“Hook? Lonely? All he needs is a mirror and he’ll be fine - and that’s coming from someone who had plenty of mirrors at her disposal once upon a time.”
Emma chuckled as her had found Regina’s baby bump under the blanket.
“Who’s he planning on living with? A parrot?” Regina continued as Emma’s let out a deep laugh before she placed a kiss on the tip of Regina’s nose.
“Nope. Lily.”
Regina sat up, almost knocking Emma back.
“Lily?!”
Emma laughed again before edging Regina back down.
“Yup. She needs her own space apparently.”
Regina burrowed back down onto Emma’s lap.
“I suppose it may be a bit much now that Zelena has moved in.”
Emma cupped Regina’s cheek.
“Your sister is a bit much in general but I think it’s more to do with having her own space to entertain a certain Fairy…”
Regina smirked.
“Ah, yes. The not-so-subtle crush.”
Emma’s lop sided grin appeared as she began to run her fingers through Regina’s silky strands.
“She practically turns into a human glow stick every time Tink is nearby.”
Regina chuckled as she snuggled even deeper into Emma as the blonde kissed the top of her head.
“I remember you flushing a delightful shade of scarlet whenever I came too close” Regina continued as Emma blushed.
“Yes, that very shade, perhaps a little deeper.” The brunette added as Emma huffed.
“It’s only because you made me nervous back then. And excited. And maybe a little turned on.”
Regina quirked a brow.
“Alright, a lot turned on Madam Mayor.”
Regina’s deep chuckle vibrated against Emma.
“And it’s not my fault I have pale skin. I glow like a beacon, it’s really irritating-“
“It’s adorable.” Regina interrupted as her hand came up to cup Emma’s warm and soft cheek.
“Remember that day at the diner?” she continued as Emma frowned.
“Which day?”
“The one where I decided to sit beside you for the very first time and you turned the color of a ripe tomato.”
Emma swallowed. “I did not.”
Regina edged closer.
“You absolutely did. I thought you were going to combust. All I did was brush snow off your collar.”
Emma felt her cheeks redden again at the memory.
“Yeah well. You were very… close.”
Regina sat up and slipped her arm around Emma’s neck.
“I remember thinking, “Well, that’s interesting.” You were so flustered, I almost asked if you needed medical attention.”
Emma grinned as she placed her hands on Regina’s waist.
“I was fine. Just caught off guard. You were being… nice.”
“Dangerously nice, apparently.”
Emma chuckled. “Babe, you knew exactly what you were doing.”
Regina’s eyes twinkled.
“Of course I did. I wanted to see if the Savior could handle a little proximity.”
Emma shifted, pulling Regina onto her lap.
“She barely survived.” Emma whispered as Regina kissed her temple.
“She’s doing much better now.” The brunette chuckled as Emma’s lips found hers as the kiss deepened.
Finally they broke apart, as Emma tucked a stray stand of hair behind Regina’s ear.
“Better than ever.” She admitted as Regina smiled, her palm now resting against Emma’s cheek.
“I still can’t believe Lily wants to live with Hook though.” she continued as Emma kissed Regina’s palm before she removed it, fingers now tangled in Emma hair.
“Let’s hope she can cook a decent lasagna so he doesn’t have to keep hinting at getting an invite here.” The blonde grumbled as Regina dropped her hand and settled back onto Emma lap, her face now burrowing into the blondes stomach before she tilted her head.
“Will you ever forget about him taking the leftovers?”
Emma shook her head.
“No. And if you make lasagna again I’m going to add a post it saying “Emma’s. Touch and perish.” on the Tupperware.”
Regina laughed harder, her body shaking gently against Emma’s. Her eyes were warm and amused.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You’re ridiculous, Miss Swan.”
Emma leaned over, her lips brushing against Regina’s ear.
“I’ve said I before and I’ll say it again. You love it, Madam Mayor.”
Regina shuddered as she turned again, brown orbs now looking deeply into sea green.
“I really do.” she admitted as Emma continued to rub her belly.
“You know, if these kids inherit even half your sass and my appetite, we’re doomed.”
Regina’s eyes glinted.
“We’ll need a second fridge. And a sarcasm proof baby monitor.”
Emma grinned as her fingers began to move lower.
“So, about these purple panties, how desperate are you to keep them on….”
Regina bit down on her lower lip.
“Em-ma”
Emma grinned, fingers now dancing over lace.
“Madam Mayor, are you… blushing?!”
Regina swallowed, her throat dry as she felt Emma’s fingers skim across her stomach, caressing her bump before edging under lace.
“Oh god” Regina mumbled as her hips began to lift.
“Easy, baby.” Emma whispered as she moved even lower, fingers bow cupping Regina’s heat.
“Bedroom. Now.” Regina managed to husk as Emma let out a happy sigh.
“Your wish is my command.”