We Can Love Again

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Days were starting to pile up on one another. For Regina, things were no longer a struggle, apart from her separation from Robin, of course. She was used to living life on such a strict, by the book routine- now that she had more family members added to the mix, the former queen realized that she could actually enjoy herself when she wasn't as strict. It was mostly Roland that got her out of that; he was always filled with cheerfulness and excitement, two things she wasn't used to at all.

Regina's mind filed through these things as she flipped through the pages of a fashion magazine Ruby had given her a few days prior. She had about five other ones spread out on top of the covers on her bed, making her feel like a self obsessed teenager.

Already she was undeniably bored; she didn't need to take fashion advice from people all over the world. How the young woman did it twenty four seven was beyond her understanding.

Absentmindedly, she brushed her hand over her stomach, slightly surprised when she felt something odd, something she had never noticed before until now. There was a small, hard bump at the base of her abdomen.

The magazine was long since forgotten as she rested her head against the wall and smiled warmly to herself. In fact, she couldn't stop smiling. There her little baby was, growing bigger and bigger everyday.

Regina swung her legs off her bed and took off downstairs. Her kids were both on the carpet floor of the living room; Henry had Roland pinned down, tickling him whenever he got the chance. The four year old was laughing so hard his face was a bright shade of red.

"Hey guys, I can see the baby now!" Regina declared, almost bubbling over with excitement. The boys looked at her in surprise. "See?"

Henry stood up and squinted his eyes at her stomach, soon putting on a confused smile.

"What?"

Henry let out a small laugh. "It just looks like you're getting chubby."

She made a face at him as Will burst out laughing. He gave the twelve year old a high five.

"Well congratulations, you're pregnant," Will smirked.

Regina scowled at him. "Let me be happy for a minute, it won't kill you."

"Fine, I'm happy for you Regina."

"When will the baby be here?" Roland asked, jumping up to give her a hug.

"We've been over this, not for a couple more months," she told him, ruffling his hair. "Why don't we do something fun to celebrate."

Henry beamed. "Can we go swimming mom? It's really hot outside today!"

Regina shrugged. "I guess, do you want me to drop you and Roland off?"

"No! No swimming!" Roland shouted, scowling profoundly up at her.

Regina almost laughed. She forgot about his extreme fear of water.

"Roland, you need to go so you can finally learn how to swim like a normal boy your age."

"Hey, good idea- teach the kid how to swim," Will said, "sounds like fun. Guess I'll come along."

She raised her eyebrows, sending him a sarcastic look amidst Roland's protests. "No, you have a job to get to, remember?"

"I'm still adjusting to my new living space, so happens."

"You've been living here for three weeks," she countered, honestly not surprised. "They'll fire you one of these days."

Roland was on the verge of tears. "I don't want to go swimming!"

"You're being ridiculous; the only way to get over your fear is to jump right into the water." She sighed, wiping away his tears with her thumb. "If you want, I'll go with you."