Comfort Food

Long Live the Queen

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Regina groaned, burying her head into the crook of Robin's neck. Even through the haze of sleep, she knew it was Saturday so there was no reason for her phone to be ringing so early. Whoever it was could just leave her a message and she'd return their car at a more decent hour.

Silence enveloped the room again and she sighed, hoping to sink back into her deep sleep quickly. Robin shifted a bit, bringing his arm up to wrap around her and hold her close. His lips grazed her forehead as he turned his head toward her.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

"I think someone is really trying to reach you, darling," he murmured. "You should probably get that."

Regina sighed, rolling away from her husband's warm embrace to grab her phone off the night stand. David's face filled the screen, which also showed her it was 6 AM as she hit the green answer button. "Hello?" she croaked.

"It's a boy!" David yelled. "I have a son!"

She blinked a few times before asking: "What?"

David cleared his throat and answered in a calmer tone: "Sorry. I have a son. Neal Leopold Nolan, six pounds eight ounces and twenty inches long."

"Oh my god." Regina sat up, excitement coursing through her as a smile spread across her face. "I didn't know Mary Margaret was in labor."

"I took her to the hospital yesterday afternoon and didn't have time to text anyone but her parents and my mom. They've been here since then. I just convinced Mom to go home and get some rest. I can't get Leo or Eva to do the same though," he said.

Regina chuckled. "Do you blame them? But I'm sure they'll go home once they realize Mary Margaret, you and baby Neal need your rest."

"I hope so," David sighed. "She was in labor for about fourteen hours."

"Fourteen? When exactly did she give birth?"

He paused, no doubt to check his watch. "An hour ago at two forty-six."

"And she's not sleeping?" Regina asked, running her hand through her hair. "I would think I'd be passed out."

"I want her to get some sleep but she won't let Neal go. She's absolutely transfixed by him," he said.

Regina chuckled. "Do you blame her?"

"No, I don't. I'm transfixed by him too."

"Well, you go stare at him some more. Robin and I will see you three soon, okay?" she said.

"Thanks, Regina. And sorry to wake you."

Trying not to yawn, she said: "It's okay. This is the only other acceptable reason to call this early. Good night, David."

She ended the call and placed her cellphone onto the nightstand with a sigh. Beside her, Robin kissed her shoulder. "So they went with Neal?"

"Apparently," she replied, turning over to face him. "We should get him something and then see when Mary Margaret is okay with us visiting. I can't wait to see him."

Regina really couldn't wait to see the baby boy that had been growing inside her friend for nine months and whose arrival she had been waiting as eagerly for as if she was his mother. She had even put up one of Mary Margaret's sonograms on her desk, right next to the picture of Regina and Robin at Marian's wedding, and had a picture frame all ready for the little guy's first picture.