The Chance Encounter

Part thirty

  Regina's POV 

Time has a way of slipping through your fingers when you're caught between excitement and uncertainty. The months that followed the night of the glowing cave felt like a blur of preparations, magical discoveries, and quiet moments with Emma. Every day, I marveled at the life growing within her and the strength she carried with such grace.

Now, the moment we’ve been waiting for has arrived.

The castle was alive with activity. Healers bustled in and out of our chambers, their robes trailing like whispers of calm reassurance. The light of the early dawn seeped through the windows, illuminating the room in a golden hue. I sat beside Emma, holding her hand as she gripped mine with surprising strength. Her forehead glistened with sweat, but her determination remained unwavering.

“You’re doing amazing, love,” I whispered, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. 

Her emerald eyes met mine, a mixture of exhaustion and excitement shining in them. “I think our boy is as stubborn as his parents,” she said with a faint, breathless laugh.

The healers’ voices became more focused as the room seemed to hold its breath. I felt Emma’s hand tighten in mine, and I leaned closer, murmuring words of love and encouragement. Time felt suspended, the world narrowing to this single, precious moment.

And then, the air was filled with the sound of new life—a powerful, tiny cry that shattered the tension and brought tears to my eyes. The healer gently placed our son into Emma’s arms, and for the first time, I saw him—the perfect blend of us, his tiny face scrunched in protest at the world he had just entered.

Emma's voice broke as she looked at him, her tears falling freely. “He’s perfect,” she whispered, her fingers brushing over his downy hair.

I wrapped my arms around them both, pressing a kiss to Emma’s temple. “He’s so much more than that,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion. “He’s ours.”

The dragon hatchling, now slightly larger and far more curious, perched at the edge of the bed, watching the scene with wide, glowing eyes. As if sensing the moment, it let out a soft trill, nuzzling closer to our son. It was as though he already knew his role—not just as a guardian, but as part of our growing family.

The castle bells rang out, their joyous chime echoing through the halls. Cheers erupted outside as the kingdom celebrated the birth of its newest prince, their love and hope radiating up to our chambers. At that moment, with Emma by my side and our son cradled in her arms, I knew that the future—whatever it may hold—would be worth every challenge we faced.

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