The Nanny

Reconnecting

Regina smoothed down her black dress as she stared at herself in the mirror. She had taken a chance on the tight one that showed off the swells of her breasts over black lace and highlighted every curve. Which included her stomach, which she swore had doubled in size over night. Yet it gave her a nice pear-shape that made her really appreciate her pregnancy. She felt beautiful rather than bloated. Picking up her phone, she opened her camera and focused her reflection in the mirror. She turned just so to get the best view of her bump and smiled as she took the picture.

"Someone's feeling confident," Emma said, leaning against the doorframe as she watched Regina with a smile.

"And sexy." Regina put down her phone to put her diamond earrings in as she smiled at her friend. "I definitely feel sexy."

"Which is a good thing, especially given yours and Robin's plans for tonight." Emma wiggled her eyebrows as she sat down on Regina's bed.

Regina gave her a look. "I'm regretting telling you our plans."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Come on. You would've told me anyway. And Will knows too. I've seen the cake."

"Please don't tell me he made another one," Regina said, thinking of the first cake Will had made for them way back in April.

It felt like another life ago. Then again, it was.

Emma nodded. "And I think he made red velvet, your favorite. He's hidden it well so Roland won't find it. No one wants to explain that to him yet."

"Good." Regina turned from the mirror and held out her arms for Emma to review her. "Well?"

"You look beautiful, Regina, and you're going to have a great night with Robin even though you're only going to your own backyard." Emma rolled her eyes before standing to hug her.

Regina chuckled, picking up her phone again. "I think it's perfect. And it's best to do this now before it turns cold again."

Someone knocked on the door and it opened a crack. Two little brown eyes peeked through it and she heard a little laugh on the other side. "You look pretty, Mom," Roland said.

"Thank you, sweetheart," she replied. "Do you want to come in and give me a hug?"

The door creaked open as he raced inside, carefully hugging her. His cheek was pressed to her bump and his eyes were closed. She felt him try to clasp his hands together but his little fingers couldn't reach each other. "I can't reach around you anymore," he said.

"No. Your siblings are getting in the way," she agreed. "But that just means you're hugging three of us now.

"Cool," he replied, his brown eyes wide. He looked straight at her stomach. "Hi, babies. I'm your brother."

Her heart skipped a beat at how much Roland reminded her of his father at that moment. She ran her fingers through his curls. "I'm sure they can't wait to meet you."

"And I'm sure Robin can't wait to see you," Emma added, jumping up off the bed. "You should head downstairs."

Regina narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Are you trying to chase me out of my room?"

"Yes," Emma said matter-of-factly, holding Regina's eyes. She pointed to the door. "Get out."

Huffing, Regina patted Roland's back. "Come on. We're being thrown out of the room."