We Can Love Again

Babysitting the Queen

She was exactly one week away from her due date. Everything felt like it was being thrown at her at once; with the kids back at school and the weather finally beginning to warm up, the last thing on her mind was how she was going to survive having a baby. All Regina knew was that she was beyond done with pregnancy. Everything was sore. Everything was uncomfortable.

There was nothing she could do about that. She didn't even realize her baby was coming so soon, the reminder came to her when Robin helped her down the stairs early Thursday morning. As much as she loved him, Regina hated feeling like she was completely invalid.

"Please, sweetheart, I can walk down the stairs by myself just fine." She tried wiggling out of his grasp, but he wouldn't let her.

"You need to be careful, because the baby could come at any moment." He responded.

Moaning, Regina surrendered to him and finished their way down the stairs. "So you're going to hover over me like a shadow for the next week?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, "I think you're forgetting that you have work."

Robin seemed to have legitimately forgotten about it, because he scowled. "Well I'm sure I can keep the store closed for another few days..."

"Absolutely not, how is Archie supposed to get Pongo his food for the week?" She asked innocently, knowing how to get him.

Robin gave her a heavily conflicted look. "You're right... I need to go. But that doesn't mean I will leave you alone in this house for the rest of the day, I'll make sure our little-"

Before he could say the baby name they had picked out, Regina placed a finger to his lips and shushed him. "We can't take any chances on anyone knowing- Emma probably has this place rigged with spells."

He suppressed a smile and gave her a quick kiss. "You worry too much, Regina. Who shall I call up to keep you company?"

"You mean who will you call to babysit me?" Regina muttered, "and it would be much easier if I just drove over to Ruby or Snow's apartment."

Shaking his head, Robin gave her a stern look. "I can't let you drive, dear."

Regina couldn't believe her ears. "I'm not a child, Robin!" She was about to go off on another tangent, but he realized then that it wouldn't do any good. Her fiancé was simply looking out for her and their baby- no matter how painful it was for her.

"I... Guess I can give Snow a call," she surrendered, giving him a slightly apologetic look. She had been meaning to talk to her for quite some time now about things.

"Alright," he said quietly, "I trust you'll be okay here until she comes. You call me if something doesn't feel right."

She nodded. "You better go if you want to get there in time."

"I could get there faster if you'd let me take the car..."

"Not happening," Regina said, rolling her eyes and giving him a slight push towards the door.

It felt nice to finally be completely alone for the first time in days. She called up her stepdaughter and explained to her how Robin insisted on someone keeping track of her during the day. Of course, Snow was more than happy to comply.

"Have you been getting enough sleep?" Snow asked, once she saw her staring blankly at the television. They had become so casual with one another over the past year that she didn't even have to think about knocking on the door.

Regina blinked a few times and gave her a small smile, shaking her head. "I can't sleep. Not while my back feels like someone put a hundred pounds on it."