The Chance Encounter

Part thirty-two

### **Regina’s POV** 
Motherhood, I had quickly learned, was both enchanting and exhausting. 

The sleepless nights weren’t unfamiliar—ruling a kingdom had prepared me for long hours—but nothing had readied me for the sheer chaos of parenthood. 

It was well past midnight, and the castle was eerily quiet except for one relentless sound—the sharp cries of our son, echoing through the chambers like a spell refusing to break. 

Emma paced beside the crib, rocking him gently, whispering every reassurance she could think of. “Shh, buddy. You’re okay. We got you.” 

He did not, in fact, seem okay. 

His tiny fists clenched, his face scrunched in frustration, and nothing—nothing—was calming him down. 

I stood near the window, rubbing my temples, my exhaustion creeping in like an unwanted guest. “He’s been fed, changed, held—why won’t he stop?” 

Emma sighed, shifting him in her arms. “Regina, sometimes babies just cry.” 

I frowned. “There has to be a reason. Maybe he’s too warm, or there’s a draft—” 

Emma shot me a tired look. “Or maybe he’s just overwhelmed, and pacing like you’re about to summon a war strategy isn’t helping.” 

I stiffened. “I’m trying to fix the problem.” 

Emma exhaled sharply. “And I’m trying to comfort him, but maybe if you weren’t so obsessed with controlling everything, we could figure this out together.” 

Her words struck deeper than she likely intended, and irritation bubbled beneath my fatigue. “At least I’m trying to think through the issue instead of blindly assuming it’ll sort itself out.” 

Emma’s jaw tightened. She took a slow, measured breath before speaking. “Regina, I know you’re exhausted. I know you want to help. But sometimes babies cry for no reason, and you need to stop treating it like a crisis.” 

I opened my mouth to retort—then stopped. 

She was right. 

I wasn’t used to problems without solutions, without control. In ruling, in magic, in everything, there was always a way to fix things. But this—this was different. 

Emma must have seen the conflict flicker across my face because she sighed, her expression softening. “I didn’t mean—” 

“I know,” I murmured. 

A tense silence lingered between us, filled only by the baby’s sharp little sniffles. 

Then Emma shifted, pressing him gently into my arms. “Here, try just… holding him. Nothing else. No strategy. Just be with him.” 

Hesitating, I cradled him close, feeling his tiny heartbeat against mine. I took a slow breath, letting everything else fade—no worries, no control, just presence. 

Emma leaned against me, exhaling. 

Our son’s cries quieted. 

She blinked at me. “Did we just solve this by hugging him?” 

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Apparently.” 

She snorted, shaking her head. “I’m putting that in every parenting book ever written. Forget complicated spells or swaddling tricks—just hold the baby.” 

I chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “It appears love is more powerful than all my strategies.” 

From the corner, the dragon hatchling lifted its head, watching intently. 

As if sensing our emotions, it let out a low trill—a soft, melodic hum, warm and comforting. 

To my astonishment, our son stirred, his fingers grasping at the air as if reaching toward the sound. The dragon cocked its head, stepping closer, its glowing scales catching the moonlight. 

Emma sucked in a breath. “Regina… look.” 

Our son reached toward the creature, his palm glowing faintly upon contact. 

A pulse of energy rippled between them, soft yet undeniable. Magic. 

The dragon hummed again, curling beside the crib, its protective instincts already rooted deep. 

Emma grinned. “Looks like he’s got a guardian. Just like we do for him.” 

I exhaled, letting the weight of the moment settle around us. 

The kingdom would rejoice in his birth, destinies would unfold, and our futures would stretch endlessly before us—but right now, in this quiet room, it was just the three of us. 

No kingdoms, no prophecies—only love, trust, and the undeniable magic of our growing family.

Sorry I kinda forgot this existed sorry let me know what you think