At the Bar

Chapter 26 Stand

The group was silently staring at Killian, who of course was getting glares from the older generation around them. "Excuse me, but that's not really nice taste, lad," Gold said. "First of all, he's my lad, not yours, what brought on the tone Killian?" Brennan asks. 

Killian breathes, and clenches his jaw a moment in frustration, "I think we're all pretty aware that Regina was not necessarily made in wedlock, or under the best circumstances." Killian flashes his eyes at Gold and Cora specifically. "Killian," Regina says gently, "No, this is ridiculous, we're over 30 years old here, we're responsible and have jobs, Regina owns a business, we're not a couple of teenagers having a child, we're adults, engaged, and in love," Killian snaps. 

Ruby, Lacey and the others can't help but be pleasantly proud and surprised by Killian standing up to their parents. "Regina and I may have not been together that long officially, but we were pretty much secretly in love with each other for a long time, which I think you two can relate to," Killian stares at them. "And how do you plan to take care of a baby with you both working the same night hours?" Cora asks. 

"We hadn't really thought about that, we still have 7 months," Regina argues. "They have us to help," Ruby chimes in. "Well you all work there at night," Cora says. "We can arrange things, accordingly," Killian says. "Or you could just finish the Barr exam," Brennan suggests. "Oh bloody hell, "Killian sighs. 

"I'm not a lawyer," Killian said. "You could have been, if you just finished and took the exam," Brennan said. "Clearly you like to argue," Gold adds. "It's not for me, and why on earth does it matter?" Killian asks. "Because you could make more money for the child," Brennan said. "We do just fine, in case you forget she owns the place," Killian said. "We're fine," Regina joins in, "We make plenty of money, we have a nice place here, and we will be fine with one extra mouth to feed," Regina said.

"And diapers, and wipes, and toys, clothes," Cora adds. "Is that why you all wanted to come? To just put us down?" Regina snaps. "That's not what we're doing Dearie," Gold said. "Don't call me that, I hate that," Regina snaps again. "We weren't aware of the baby, we thought it was just an engagement announcement," Cora said. "Well, it's not, it's us being together, planning to marry, and having a baby, it's the whole nine yards," Regina said. 

"You may think you know what it's like to be a mother Regina," Cora stands up, "But it's not so easy, I didn't know a lot," Cora said. "And you learned, and you were married to someone who wasn't even my father!" Regina snaps and storms off. Killian sighs, "Not what the expecting woman needs, we wanted you to be here for support, not for your third degree, and my father's cross examination," Killian heads off to the bedroom with Regina. 

Ruby and Lacey look at the guys, "Uhhh so, what do we do?" David asks quietly, "And what are the relationships here? We know you two are together," Cora looks at him and Elliot, "Uhh, well, Ruby and I are together too," Lacey says. "And I'm just... around," Graham nods. 

In the bedroom

"You ok?" Killian asks, with his arms gently wrapping around Regina, and holding her stomach, "Why are they like this? I feel bad now that I forced you to call your father," Regina said. "We didn't know they would all react like we're some teen parents," Killian said. "What's wrong? You think they're right that we don't have a clue?" Killian asks. "No, I'm just, I know we have our friends for our extended family, but I just thought..." she shakes her head. "I just wanted the baby to also have a big family," Regina said. 

"Well, they will, just a dysfunctional one, it's the 21st century, pretty much every family is like this," Killian smiles. They hear a knock, and Killian opens it, "uhh," he stares at Gold. "Before you go into another speech, I have something to say," Gold said. "Uhh, ok?" Killian asks. "That was somewhat impressive, even I have trouble standing up to Cora," Gold smirks a bit. Killian quirks his brow sideways and holds Regina at the waist. 

"It's very hard for your mother, she expected you in a not so traditional way," Gold said. "But that's not my fault, and Killian and I are together, you two weren't," Regina said. "True, and it was a very tricky situation, to see you behind your father's back," Gold said. "Well, he's .... gone now, so you're it," Regina said, with a tone. "I was always, it.." Gold says. 

"Well, perhaps you will be better than I was able to be," Gold said, looking at Killian. "Is that a compliment?" Killian asks, "Don't push it, not yet," Gold said. "But..." he turns to Regina, "Regina clearly has a lot of faith and happiness with you, and that's ultimately what we want," Gold said. Regina softly smiles at him, and pats Killian to say something, "Uhhh, thank you?" he asks, partially putting his hand out to shake, Gold looks at it, and shakes his hand.

Killian and Regina head back to everyone else, where Ruby and Lacey have actually struck up pleasant conversations with Cora and Brennan, "I used to be the one to send you to your room, rarely was a time you went on your own," Brennan said. 

"Are we going to continue arguing?" Cora asks. "No, we're not, but I have something to say now, and I'm the one pregnant, so I'm fine taking on everyone here and battling for two," Regina says firmly, getting everyone's attention. 

"First of all, we're adults, not children and we're having a baby, and it's up to us how we want to raise them, what we do about our jobs is what we want, and that's not up to any of you, it's up to me and Killian," Regina says confidently. "Actually you, you're my boss," Killian winks. 

Regina smiles, with a laugh, "And that means," her voice returns to firm, "No one is going to tell us what to do. Now, we want you to be grandparents to this baby, but if you're going to tell us nonstop that we're doing things wrong then you can forget about that," Regina said. Cora stares at her, "Well, I clearly taught you better than I thought Dear," she smiles. Regina gapes at her, "Uhh," she stammers. 

"If you can stand up to us, you can handle a baby just fine," Cora said. "Look who's a leader of the people," Killian smiles, "I'm a regular Queen," Regina smiles.