Second Chance

48

Regina Mills-

We all linger in the hospital room, eagerly waiting for a little snuggle of my niece. Zelena hands her over as I stare deeply into her big wide eyes that resemble her mother so much.

"You are just like your momma, yes you are" I coo, rubbing my nose against her very petite button one. "How about we give you a name huh? That's after Emma comes of course, then we will match your beautiful little face to a beautiful little name"

I hand her back to her mother allowing them connection time and contact between one another as I head to the door, stepping outside and scanning my eyes over the sitting room in hopes to find my blonde and my baby boy. But they're not here.

I pull my phone out of my coat pocket and dial her number.

"Hello... has she had the baby?" I hear as she blurts her sentence so quickly with anticipation. "Henry and I have just headed to the cafe to get everyone coffee"

"That's sweet of you both" I grin through the phone. "She's had the baby, a little girl actually" I smile wholeheartedly and I can almost feel her warm smile down the phone. It's an awkward moment though, it's as though we both so desperately want to relate this to our situation but this time is Zelenas. "Anyway, when you're back, we're going to name the baby"

Another long awkward silence, it's almost unbearable, it's agonising, it's a painful tension and I can sense her fear down the end of the phone.

But I can't hold back anymore. "What if I can't do this Emma? What if I can't be a mother?" I quiver down the phone, lowering my voice.

"Don't be silly baby, I've seen you with Henry. I've seen you cradle him, love him, teach him, and be there for him and if that's not what mothers do then I've been doing something wrong all these years. He admires you regina and this child will too. I know it will, your an amazing mother and you don't owe to prove that to anyone, we already know you have this in you and I'm with you every step of the way" she vows.

"I don't think I'd be able to have this baby without you.."

"Baby? You're pregnant?" I hear from behind me.

"Shit. Emma get here please" i quickly mumble down the phone and hang up, slowly turning around to see my mother lurking behind me. "Was you listening in on my call?"

"Why of course not, I just happened to be getting the nurse for a bottle of milk until I simply accidentally overheard. Is it true? You're pregnant?" My mother asks staring deeply into my eyes and for once I stare back. Holding my gaze and staring intensely into her matching orbs. Finally I see something more than a cold hearted bitch. I see... sincerity.

"I...I..." I stutter unknown what to say as my phone bounces in my palm. She smiles warmly, and I feel myself opening up, and I don't like it. "I am..."

"Really! Regina this is fantastic, I'm really happy you get a second chance, you deserve this, and I won't ruin this opportunity for you. Congratulations sweetie" my mother coos, reaching forward and yanking my body against hers in a motherly bear hug leaving me utterly shocked. I'm terrified. Never have I ever had my mother so affectionate like this, I hesitate, I don't know how to react but suddenly I find myself lifting my arms and accepting the hug.

Maybe this is the sort of attention I had always craved from my mother, maybe I always wanted this sincere and affectionate relationship where I feel secure and loved by a mother, and finally after all these years I'm starting to feel it.

My hands find them self's holding her close, almost as though I never want this moment to end with my mother that I'm still getting time to know, her new side is taking a shine to my life and I can see her finally becoming a grandma I want my children to have. My nose nuzzles in the crook of her neck as I inhale her sweet scent, so pure and innocent. So different.

"Sorry, I come as quick as I..." Emma rushes as her trainers squeak on the shiny tile floor. "Oh, sorry to ruin a moment" Emma cringes as she watches my mother and I escape the hug. "I assume you told her?"

"She overheard, I can't lie Emma, I'm sorry" I frown, looking down at the floor but Emma is quick to lift my chin and peck my lips.

"Don't worry, coffee for you my darling" Emma coos, handing over a coffee cup. "And for you" she says, handing my mother one over but my mother takes the coffee and hugs Emma, the sight swells my heart. I never thought my mother would accept my sexuality, never mind my relationship, and now another baby and yet she's happy with everything. She truly is a changed woman.

"Erm..." Emma awkwardly stutters, attempting to balance the other two coffees in the tray.

"Sorry, thank you for the coffee and congrats"

"Thankyou" Emma smiles. "I'm happy we got a second chance"

"May I ask how? How are you pregnant?" She asks.

"That's a complicated story for another time, maybe once the charmings know" I smile with an eye roll of exaggeration. "It's only a week until our twelve week scan so everything will be announced then"

"Okay" we wonder inside the room and I kiss Zelena head as she tells her baby girl stories. "Emma brought you coffee"

"Oh my god, Emma I love you" she whines with joy.

"A coffee in exchange for a cuddle?" Emma asks, holding out the coffee and safely placing it on the bedside table along with her own also.

"Darling, I don't think I'm strong enough for a cuddle yet" she huffs but soon drops the jokes and hands over her baby. Emma cradled her close to her chest as I stand very close to Emma, my arm wrapped around her back and my other softly brushed the strawberry curls on her dark little skin. "You're like the cute little family, you are" she teases but our eyes instantly flick between Zelena and her mothers who holds a secretive wink.

"Does my baby cousin have a name yet auntie Zelena?" Henry softly asks after a short little cuddle.

"She has... her name is... Margot with a T" she grins, taking a hefty sip of her hot liquid.

"So Targo?" Emma stutters stupidly. God I love how ridiculous she is.

"No, other end it's silent. Margot Robyn West"