The Nanny

L'accouchement

"Someone didn't make it to midnight," David said, carrying over a sleeping Roland. "Do you want me to put him to bed for you?"

"Well, he made it longer than he did last year," Robin replied with a sigh. He then held out his arms. "I can take him."

Regina waddled over to him and gently lowered one of his arms, worried he was still trying to do too much too soon. "I think it's best if someone else carried him. Dr. Whale advised you not to pick up or carry Roland just yet."

He made a face and she knew she wasn't happy about the fact he wasn't given a better bill of health at his last visit. But he then sighed, nodding before turning back to David. "Right, right. Can you just carry him for me and I can still put him to bed?"

"Of course," David replied. "Why don't you lead the way?"

Robin reached out and squeezed Regina's hand. "Will you be okay?"

She smiled, touched by his concern, and nodded. "Yes. I am in our house surrounded by our family and friends. I feel safe."

"Alright," he said, kissing her cheek. "I'll be right back."

She watched him leave the room with David before waddling back to where Will had set up the food. It seemed she was now a bottomless pit, always hungry. Regina blamed the Beans and hoped things would go back to normal once she gave birth.

"Looking for anything in particular?" Will asked, sidling up next to her.

"Actually, are there any more dumplings?" she asked, giving him her best puppy dog eyes in hopes that he would have another batch somewhere.

He chuckled, nodding. "Yes, I have some in the kitchen. Would you like me to warm them up for you?"

"If you wouldn't mind," she said, kissing his cheek. "You're the best."

"Eh, I was going to go get the champagne anyway, so I'm happy to keep you happy," he told her, grinning as he walked away.

Giddy, Regina returned to her seat next to her father on the couch. "How are you doing, Daddy?" she asked.

"I think I can make it to midnight but not much after," he replied. "So I hope you don't mind if I bow out as soon as the ball drops."

"Of course not," she said, patting her father's knee. "And it's okay if you decide to leave before the ball drops. Just take care of yourself, okay?"

He nodded with a smile. "I will, don't worry. And you need to take care of yourself and those babies of yours."

She rubbed her stomach. "I am. They don't like to sleep at night anyway. So I think they will be fine. As soon as Will returns with some more dumplings, that is."

"So that's where he went," Anastasia said, passing by them. "I've been looking everywhere for him."

"I'm sure he'll be right back," Regina assured her. "Are you having fun?"

Anastasia nodded. "Thank you so much for inviting me. I'm sure it has to still be a little awkward."

"Not at all," Regina replied, hoping to reassure the woman who was slowly becoming another friend. "You helped me get some much needed closure and I appreciate that. Besides, when you're here, you're just Will's girlfriend."

The other woman beamed at that last word as she said: "I like the sound of that."

"I think he does too," Regina told her, winking as best as she could.

Robin walked up to them with a plate of dumplings, smiling widely. "Ran into Will in the kitchen. He asked me to bring these to you while he gets the champagne ready."