A Pleasant Surprise

Chapter 9

“How are you feeling these days Regina?” Snow asked. Regina was sitting across from Snow, Henry and Emma in her living room, Robin was beside her, their hands intertwined in Regina’s lap.

“I’m feeling blissfully happy these days, thank you Snow” Regina said with a smile, she was happy that her step-daughter had invited her and Robin over for lunch, because the two of them hadn’t really been doing anything for themselves recently, they’d both been so focussed on getting everything ready for the baby. It had been a week since Emma and Regina had gone to see Rumple, and the two women had grown much closer.

“Have you thought of any names yet Mom?” Henry asked her.

“I’ve thought of a few for the girl, but I’m still undecided” Regina told him.

“Well what do you like so far” Emma asked.

“Well I named Henry for my father, so Cora is one possibility for the girl, but I also like Jennifer” Regina said.

“And I like Claire” Robin added.

“What about Daniel, for the boy” Henry suggested. Robin looked at Regina, he knew that Daniel had been Regina’s first love.

“I’m not going to be the kind of person who names her children after all her dead loved ones Henry. You were a special case because I killed my father and I never forgave myself for it” Regina said to him. Snow flinched, it had been her fault that Regina hadn’t had a chance with Daniel and she had been the one to personally kill Regina’s mother Cora, which she still felt guilty for.

“Oh Snow, don’t even worry about those things, they’re all in the past now” Regina reassured her, sensing Snow’s thoughts.

Suddenly, a dull ache in Regina’s abdomen interrupted her thoughts. She stiffened and Robin clutched her hand in worry.

“Are you alright Regina love” Robin asked, his voice full of concern. The ache only lasted a few seconds and then went away. When the throbbing sensation came back again, panic crossed Regina’s face. But then she realized what was happening and her panicked look changed to one of sheer excitement and joy.

“The babies are kicking” she cried, seizing Robin’s hand and placing it on her abdomen, her voice and body shaking with excitement. She had never been so happy to feel discomfort as she did now.

”Oh my god Regina, this is getting so real. There’s only 18 weeks left now until the twins are born” Robin said, kissing Regina on the cheek happily.

“Can I feel Mom” Henry asked cautiously.

“Of course, of course dear, come and say hi, to your brother and sister, everyone’s welcome to come and share this moment with us” Regina, said with an uncharacteristically girlish laugh. Regina felt herself being enveloped in warmth and love, as everyone reached out to feel the twins kicking. She was thrilled to have people to share her joy with, glad that she was surrounded by the people who actually loved her, she had never felt so loved before and the feeling made her happier than she’d been since Daniel had been around.