At the Bar

Chapter 25 Visit

"What changed?" Regina asks. "About what?" Killian asks. "You were all worried and anxious, and suddenly you heard the heartbeat and you changed, and said confidently we would be fine," Regina said. "I don't know," he shakes his head, unsure. "Just hearing that little one's heartbeat made me realize that their heart is beating because of us, that we made that and we already love them more than anything. I just knew that I could do it, I could learn anything I don't know, and just go by my instincts," he said. Regina smiles, "You're making me love you more," She said. "Is that possible?" He asks. "Yeah, little," she sighs, and slowly kisses him. 

Meanwhile, "Wait, so Gold is Regina's father?" Ruby asks, "Apparently biological," Elliot nods. "Wow, that's a change, that may be kind of frustrating for Killian," Graham said. "Yeah well, pretty sure Gold would kill you over Killian," Elliot said. "What's that supposed to mean?" Graham said. "You're more of a player than him, don't lie," Ruby said. "Calling the kettle black don't you think?" Graham asks looking at her, "I'm offended," Elliot says. "Oh! Umm," Graham shakes his head, "I'm kidding, loosen up," Elliot teases. 

That weekend

"What the Hell Killian!?" Regina snaps, "What did I do?" he defends, "You didn't use a coaster," she picks up the glass from the table. "Regina, come on, they can't be that nitpick about stuff like that, this is exactly why we're making this a group event, and the four others and Gold are pretending that they don't know about the baby," Killian said. 

Regina takes a deep breath, staring at him, "Who do you think will be worse here?" She asks. "Your mum or my Dad? Probably Gold to be honest," Killian said. "He doesn't hate you," Regina says. "He does not like me Regina, you know that," Killian said. "And what's his and your mother's relationship now? They clearly don't live together," he said. 

"Well I think it's complicated, they have feelings for each other, just haven't been able to make it work," She said. "Like we have?" Killian asks. "Well, we have different circumstances," Regina said. "Not really, when you think about it, we were keeping ourselves apart for five years out of fear. Your mum stayed away from Gold out of fear in a way too, from her parents," Killian said. 

"Let's promise right now that we won't pressure our kid about love, and marriage and all that," Regina said. "Good, deal," Killian smiles. The door rings, and Regina hopes that it's their family of friends first. 

"Ah, Regina, well about bloody time you and my scoundrel son made things official," Brennan Jones, a bit larger stature than Killian, but same dark hair, roguish looks and scruff, and same voice. "Papa," Killian sighs, trying to not clench his teeth. "You're early," He adds. "Well I like to be early rather than late, tick tock," Brennan smiles. 

"Right," Killian takes another deep breath, and Regina grips his hand. "So are you going to announce wedding plans?" Brennan presses, "Uhh Papa, how about a drink? Scotch?" Killian offers, "Mm, ok, bartender," Brennan nods. Killian heads off to pour a drink, and Regina shifts uncomfortably. 

She saved by the door, and sighs instantly, unsure who it could be. She's relieved, "HI!" Ruby cutely comes in, with Lacey, and Graham. "I'm happy to see you all," Regina says. "Ah is this the staff?" Brennan asks. Graham looks at Killian and hands him a bottle of wine, "Uhh they're more like our extended family Papa," Killian nods to them. "Ah, ok," Brennan judges them all quickly, "So, see where Killian gets his good looks," Ruby tries to lighten the mood. "Mmm, he has his mother's eyes," Brennan said. 

The silence and tension is a bit thick,  and they anticipate Cora, or Gold, or both showing up to complete their awkward gathering. There's a final knock on the door, as the group waited, and Regina shuffled to get it, "Ok relax," she stares at them all. Killian looks back over his shoulder at them all and shrugs. 

Regina opens the door, and it's heavy in the air, she looks at her mother, whom she hasn't seen in several years, and then to Gold next to her. She isn't sure if the pair has spoken beforehand. "Sweetheart," Cora smiles. "Mother," Regina nods, and welcomes them inside. "Umm this is everyone, Ruby, Lacey, Graham, and Killian and his father," Regina introduces. "I remember most of them, this one is new," She stares at Lacey, "Um hi," She shrugs. 

"Umm mother, come in," Regina said. "This is his place?" Cora looks Killian up and down, "Umm yeah," Killian nods, "Mmm," Cora looks around judging everything. "Umm, Could we get you anything?" Ruby offers pleasantly, "Oh you're hosting this?" Cora asks. "No, they're here as friends and support, this is kind of an out of the ordinary gathering and we just thought everyone should be here," Regina said. 

"Well what's so non traditional about it?" Gold asks. "Well I mean, first of all you're her father, that we didn't really know until recently," Killian said. "Regina knew," Gold points out, "Right, well we didn't, and I have a feeling winning you over isn't going to be easy," Killian said. 

"Well we can't really order you around at this age," Brennan chimes in, "Good, because you can't really delay anything that's started at this point," Killian said. Regina looks at him a moment, "What are you doing?" Regina asks quietly. "There's no point in delaying it, love, they know we're together, clearly, and surprise, Regina is pregnant," Killian says. 

Everyone looks at mainly Cora and Brennan, being the only ones who are learning of the news. They're interrupted by the door. Regina turns on her heels blowing out through her lips, and opening the door. 

Elliot and David grin at her, "Are we late?" Elliot asks, "Ummm no, too late for the awkward part," Regina says, letting them in. "Umm this is Elliot and David," Regina said. "What? He looks ..." Cora begins, "Like James, yeah umm twin," Regina said. "I'm nothing like him," David smiles. "Clearly, you're with me," Elliot smiles. "Well, this just got interesting, I need a drink, can't someone in this group manage that?" Cora asks with a snip in her tone. 

"So, you're going to switch jobs or shifts with each other?" Cora asks, presumingly. "Ummm, what do you mean?" Regina asks. "Well you can't both be working these ridiculous hours if you're having a baby," Cora said. "Uhh we didn't really plan that yet," Killian said. "Oh that's clear, what exactly did you plan?" Cora asks. The group feels more tension, and Killian takes a deep breath. 

"We didn't really plan anything, but I'm sure that you can understand that, given Regina's conception," Killian snaps a bit, and the group all stares at him. 

A/N-- Yeah Killian doesn't like the third degree from Cora ....