The Way We Were

Chapter 10

So I'm sorry to say this will be the last chapter of this story. I've done what I wanted to with the characters and plot (not quite, but I'll put another note down at the end explaining). So enjoy! And thank you thank you thank you for reading and supporting me!

"Are you scared, Mama?" Little Roland asked his mother as the nurse worked to hook Regina up to monitors and machines. "Who me? Not a chance," the woman teased as she ruffled the boy's hair.

Henry knowing the severity of the situation unlike his brother, simply laid his head on his mother's chest and held her tight for a minute, trying not to cry. Emma watched as her wife stroked his back and whispered soothing words into his ear. Henry had every right to be afraid; she was terrified and so was Regina, despite the act of bravado she put forth.

Today was the day Regina would be receiving a new heart. Whale had pulled some strings and fought so hard for the woman that he very nearly lost his job. It proved to both of them that the doctor wasn't a complete ass, and he actually cared for Regina like everyone else in this town. How could they not?

Emma couldn't help but frown as Regina gently pushed Henry away, watching as Mary Margaret led them out of the hospital room. This could be the last time she would see her boys, and she didn't want to hurry anything.

Whale rolled in another hospital bed and set it right next to Regina's so it almost created a double. "Sorry ladies, we don't seem to have any spare cots. Hope you don't mind sleeping on this."

"Thank you, Whale," Emma said with a smile as she set her duffel bag on top of it. The boys would be going home with her mother while she stayed here with Regina for the next couple days. Tomorrow morning Regina would be undergoing the knife while Emma would most likely be suffering from anxiety.

Regina reached her free hand across to Emma's side as the blonde climbed into the bed. "Maybe Whale should give you something to calm your nerves, Em," she said softly.

Emma quickly shook her head. She hated hospitals, and she hated shots. Even when she was giving birth to Henry she refused an epidural. Besides, the medication would only be a temporary fix for the inevitable she would have to face tomorrow. She wanted as much time with her wife as possible.

"You know what this reminds me of?" Emma asked, changing the subject. Regina looked over at her, a knowing smile on her face. "Henry," the older woman said what she was thinking. It was a sweet memory now, despite both women being scared out of their minds at the time.

2003...

The baby monitor glowed as the sound of Henry's wails filled the darkened room. It was a common occurrence for the 2-year-old to wake them, as he hated sleeping in his crib and to prevent him from escaping they had to put a light mesh netting over the top.

A low whine escaped Emma's throat as Regina nudged her. "Your son wants you..."

The blonde yawned and buried her face further into her pillow. "Before sunrise he's your son."

Henry's wails intensified, turning into screams. Emma sat up immediately, knowing that was her son's pained crying sound. "Regina, I think something's wrong."

Her wife followed her out of bed to the little boy's room. Henry was standing in his crib, cheeks flushed from crying and snot running down his face. He howled louder as he saw his mommies.

Emma picked him up and noticed that even through his fleece PJ's he was running a fever. Upon touching his tummy to try and soothe him, the toddler cried out and wriggled away from her.