Can't Afford To Love You

Chapter 4

Author's note: so there has been a time jump since the last chapter, if it isn't clear to you in this chapter Regina is seven and a half months pregnant and her and David have fallen out of touch since what had previously happened between them.

Five and a half months had passed since that first ultrasound with Charming. Her baby was due in a month or so. Regina hadn't seen much of the prince at all and any 'feelings' she had held for him were long gone. Emma was getting more and more excited for her goddaughter to come into the world and Regina herself was too becoming excited, though this was mainly because she was getting tired of carrying a baby inside her everyday.

The original pregnancy 'glow' had left her body, and now she was run down, tired, and lonely. Especially the last one. Although there were people who cared for her all around her everyday, she still missed having a shoulder to rest her head on and someone to just be there whatever she was feeling. She didn't want Robin though. Well of course, if Robin was here right now she'd be with him, as she loved him, but it wasn't him in particular that she longed for. It was just someone. Maybe after she had the baby she should just get out and find a man. She didn't even have to love him, she just wanted a bit of fun. And God, she missed alcohol. As bad as it sounds, that was her escape before she was pregnant. That, and sex. Of course, that's not what she missed the most about Robin, but she still missed it. "A bunch of drunk one night stands wouldn't do you any harm," had been Emma's exact words. The saviour was probably right, for once. She did need to loosen up a little. And she would. In a month and a half when the child was born. For now, the only thing that cleared her mind was taking a walk in the forest, where she felt truly at home.
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The forest was very quiet today. The only sounds to be heard were the quiet chirps of the birds in the trees and the occasional snap of a twig. Regina glanced around, trying to figure out where about she was. Ah. She remembered this place. Last time she had been here was one of the best days she'd ever spent with Robin. Drifting back into that distant memory, she smiled.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it my love?"

Robin grinned, holding her hand tightly.

"Hmm."

She murmured, gazing into his blue eyes as they walked together happily. Snapping out of her trance, she raised an eyebrow at him.

"It'll probably rain now."

She remarked.

"It's still a beautiful day. I happen to find rain one of the most romantic weathers to be taking a walk in."

Smirking, she snapped her fingers, and sure enough, it began to rain.

"Still find it romantic?"

"Yes."

He smiled, taking her face in his hands and kissing it softly as the rain fell onto their cheeks, soaking them head to toe. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him and standing on her tiptoes to reach him. This reminded her of- what was that movie?- the notebook. She laughed to herself.

"What is it?"

He asked.

"Oh, nothing. My hair is ruined."

"You still look beautiful."

Regina giggled, stopping as she realised that she was reminiscing this memory out loud. She felt a drip of water trickle down her face. It was raining. The forest floor was dangerously slippy when it rained and she was unfamiliar with where she was. Exhaling deeply, she took a slow step forward, cautious to step carefully. She took another step. And another step. Then she slipped.

Everything went black.

When her eyes snapped open she found herself crying out in pain, and she struggled to breathe from the impact of the fall.

"No no no."

She choked. This had been a stupid idea. There was no one for miles and there was no way she'd be able to stand up. She waved her hand in a meek attempt to use magic but she had been weakened too much for her powers to work. Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she dialled 911, but there was no phone signal. She was isolated and alone here and she could already tell that her baby was distressed and hurt. So she did the only think she thought she could. Scream. An ear splitting shriek rang through the forest, stretching at least a mile with the echo it created. Only one person heard it.

Regina waited, hoping that someone had heard her and was coming to help. Then she felt it. No. She was only seven months pregnant. She couldn't have the baby now. It wasn't safe. Her breath was hitched and she gasped for air between sobs of panic. Suddenly, she heard a voice.

"Regina!"

Charming exclaimed, sprinting over to her and kneeling down next to where she was laying. She couldn't answer, the only noise that came out was a small moan of pain as she felt yet another contraction.

"We need to get you to the hospital now."

She shook her head violently and struggled to speak.

"No- there's no time, my baby, it's coming."

As she finished speaking she cried out again. David's face was contorted with worry but he listened to watch she said and stopped trying to pick her up.

"It's ok, you're going to be ok. I'm calling and Ambulance, they're going to get you to the hospital."
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David waited outside the hospital ward in anticipation, wincing at the sounds of Regina's screams. He felt guilty that he was the only one here but she had asked him not to call anyone, and he didn't dare go against her will.

"David, can I speak to you for a minute?"

Dr. Whale came towards him with a grave look on his face.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Now we shouldn't really be sharing medical information with anyone except the family but you're down as her emergency contact so as there is no family here I have to tell you this."

A rush of confusion ran through David's spine. Him? Why? Shaking any uncertainty off, he nodded for Whale to continue.

"When we brought her into the hospital, there was no way that we couldn't deliver the baby, even though she was only seven and a half months pregnant. We knew there would be risks as with any premature baby, but we went ahead with the procedure. However, when we took the baby to the NICU we discovered that she had a severe intraventricular hemorrhage, a bleeding in the brain. Despite our best efforts we couldn't save her, I'm sorry."

David's heart dropped into his shoes. He felt sick. This couldn't be happening. He had seen how far Regina had come. She deserved at least some form of happiness in her life. This baby meant everything to her. And for some reason, for some crazy, unfathomable reason, David blamed himself for this loss.

And Regina blamed him too.