Five
Chapter 5
Disclaimers::: I do not own OUAT just my colorful imagination. In this final chapter, will we find out about Henry's relation to Emma? Or Emma's biological family? How will Henry react?
########
When Emma and Regina landed, they could barely keep their hands off each other. But they knew they needed to grab their luggage. Once they did, they were in a hurry to get home. They almost forgot that Ruby and Henry, as well as Zelena, were coming to pick them up from the airport.
Just as they moved outside, ready to flag down a taxi, they ran into someone about to enter.
"Regina?" A male voice sounded.
Regina stiffened as she turned to look at the man. "Robin. What are you doing here?"
Robin sneered and replied. "I'm on my way to see my lawyer. I've been thinking, I would like custody of our son."
Regina scoffed. "Since when?! You have shown zero interest in being his father. I won't let you take MY son from me!" She snapped.
Robin laughed. "Well, you got pregnant with a stranger's sperm. I may not have liked it then. But now the boy needs a father. He needs to toughen up and be a man. I'm going to have him fixed with a cochlear implant whether or not he likes it!"
Emma's hands clenched into fists when she saw what Robin was saying. "You would force him against his will?! You're no father. You're a monster to think you can force that on Henry! It has to be his decision Not yours!" She wanted so badly to punch his lights out for suggesting that. "For your information, a cochlear implant is NOT a cure. It doesn't fix deafness. It sometimes can improve the sounds, but sometimes it doesn't work. Do your research! Sometimes it can even cause more harm. If something happens and they need an MRI done, they won't be able to because of the magnet stuck in their head. If they need to be rescued with paddles to jumpstart their heart, they will be killed because of that magnet in the way. As I said, do your research and think about what is best for them in the long term."
Robin stared at Emma as if she had sprouted another head. "This is none of your business. Stay out of this." He pushed her aside and grabbed Regina by her elbow. "You will give me custody of the boy or else I tell your friend here about your trips to the sperm bank. It's unnatural what they do there." He looked at Regina with disgust in his eyes.
Regina jerked her arm away and smiled smugly at him. "Oh, she knows. You won't be able to get my son. I already found his other parent and I have already begun the process of putting his other parent's name on his birth certificate."
"Oh yeah?! What's his name?!" Robin didn't believe a word she said.
"Henry has both of us in his life right now. He's already grown to love this person. I have seen the love they share for each other which is more than you have ever shown him. They share their deafness. Their beautiful language and the love of playing games together. And that person has taught me a lot about the deaf world. I love them so much."
Emma moved closer to Regina as she realized what the brunette was saying. "Regina? What are you…?"
Regina smiled at Emma. "The donor number? The one I used that gave me Henry? It's 36627926."
Emma's jaw dropped. She signed to Regina, "Me? Did I give you Henry? He's my son?" Her eyes grew misty as she threw her arms around the brunette. She murmured softly into her ear so only the two of them could hear what she was saying. "I love the fact you are the mother of my children...our children." She kissed her deeply, not realizing that Ruby, Zelena, and Henry had found them.
Zelena despised Robin and always made sure he knew it. "Get out of here loser. This is a family affair. You're not a part of it anymore."
Before Robin left, the last thing he heard was Henry calling for his mother and calling that woman, Ma. It turned his stomach. He left.
Regina grinned as she signed the best she could while speaking. "How much did you see or hear?" The latter she asked Ruby and Zelena.
The redhead was surprised at how much Regina had learned when it came to using ASL. She'd taken classes when she found out her nephew was deaf. But Regina had been so busy after she managed to learn just the basics. Not enough to be able to communicate well with her son. She was impressed. She knew it was because of this Emma Swan. Ruby and Henry had told her a lot about the woman her sister was dating. She could see how happy her sister was and that made her so happy. She was looking forward to officially meeting Emma.
"I'm not quite sure yet, sis. Unless my imagination is getting the better of me, it sounded like you two were talking about my handsome nephew." Zelena replied before she turned to look at Emma. "So you're the reason my sister is smiling more." She grinned, "I'm Zelena. I think we will become the best of friends." She hugged the blonde. "Ruby and Henry have told me so much about you. Were you in the White Knight movie?"
Emma grinned and nodded. "I was, yeah." She decided she liked Regina's sister.
Ruby grinned as she was the next to hug Emma. "Looks like things are going your way. My suspicions were right."
Henry looked at his mother and then at Emma. "You're my mom too? How?"
Regina and Emma nodded at the same time. Emma moved closer to Henry, reaching out to caress his head. "I was born different. I guess I need to explain more. Please try to keep an open mind. I was born with male and female parts. I know you might be too young to understand. There are not many people like me. But yeah, I gave you to your mom. You're a true blessing to both of us. I love you, Kid." She hugged her son.
Henry nodded. "I think I get it. Maybe not completely." He signed. "I think it's cool." He smiled. "I love you Ma." He hugged her tightly as Regina joined in the group hug.
Ruby grinned, feeling happy for her sister and glad to know her suspicions were correct and she'd gained a nephew. She looked at Emma. "You have a package waiting for you at home, from Ancestry. And your passes for the Premiere arrived too."
"Am I invited to the movie premiere too?" Zelena asked as they put the luggage in her SUV.
Emma laughed and nodded. "Of course you are." She was feeling giddy as she and Regina moved into the back with their son. She looked at Henry, loving the fact she now had a family with Regina.
Regina chuckled softly as she signed 'I Love You' to her son and to Emma. They said the same thing to each other.
When they arrived at Emma's place, they put everything away before Emma opened the package and followed its instructions. She then gave her DNA sample, swabbing the inside of her cheeks before sealing her sample in the envelope and putting it in the box they sent with the kit. They then mailed it off.
"Maybe we will find out where we got our deafness from. Clearly, it is hereditary since Henry is also deaf."
When Ruby and Zelena, as well as Henry, went out for ice cream, they promised to meet them there soon.
Regina moved closer to Emma, loving how the blonde was paying attention to her abdomen. She spoke and signed. "Sometimes I wish I could be deaf like you and Henry. When I see how fluently you and our son communicate, I wonder if I will ever be able to do that."
Emma smiled, kissing her. "You will. You've come so far already. Do you still have the earmolds?" When Regina nodded, Emma continued. "Well then, if you ever feel the need to immerse yourself in the world of silence, put them on. You will be able to mirror the world of silence. Our world." She smiled. "You're not isolated from our world now. You're our bridge to the hearing world. Just like Ruby has been for me. Now I have you and so does Henry and this baby we created together." She caressed her abdomen while kissing her neck.
Regina's eyes were misty, glassy with tears threatening to fall. "You are so beautiful Em-ma. The things you say are like poetry. You make being deaf a beautiful thing." She looked down at their entwined fingers resting on her abdomen. She looked up at Emma. "Do you think our baby will be deaf too? I don't mind. I love you and Henry so much."
Emma shrugged. "It's possible. There's probably a 50% chance he or she could be hearing. But I will teach them sign language from the very first moment they open their eyes. Their lives will be richer because of it."
Regina smiled and hummed happily. "I am so glad we found you when we did. What are the odds that I would hook up with Henry's sperm donor? Now I know you are his other parent and that makes me very happy."
"Did you mean it when you said you would put my name on his birth certificate?" Emma asked.
Regina nodded. "Yes, I did. I wouldn't lie about that. Now, how about a quickie before we meet our family for ice cream?" Regina bit her lower lip and moaned when she felt Emma grow hard against her.
Emma chuckled huskily as she lifted the brunette in her arms and carried her to the bathroom where they proceeded to make love while taking a shower together. They dressed and then met the others afterward.
########
Two weeks went by and they had so much to look forward to. Regina's divorce to Robin had been finalized and the judge refused to give Robin custody of Henry when she learned the circumstances of how Robin had not wanted to be a father to Henry for almost nine years of his life. She didn't see the point. At the same time, it was the day of the movie premiere for Lady Morgana. It was going to be a red carpet event where other celebrities would show up for the movie. There would be hundreds of paparazzi there, taking photographs and there would be the media and interviewers. Emma and Regina were pretty much used to this lifestyle. They had to dress up for the occasion. Fortunately, for Emma, she would be wearing a Regina Mills special. They all would. Zelena did Emma's hair.
Zelena smiled proud of her handiwork. "There! Now you look absolutely stunning! My daughter Robyn is coming with her girlfriend. I can't wait for you to meet her! I have yet to meet her girlfriend." She grinned.
Emma chuckled. "I am sure she's wonderful. I look forward to meeting her."
Zelena smiled. "I think it's time to knock my sister's shoes off. Let's get going." She winked before they left the room.
Emma was wearing Regina's newest design. She'd been inspired by some of the stills Emma showed of what she wore as Lady Morgana. She incorporated a tuxedo look crossed over with the dress she wore as the deaf heroine slash villain character Emma portrayed.
When Emma made her way to where her family was waiting, their jaws dropped.
"Absolutely stunning!!! Is what you are!" Regina exclaimed, proud of the way Emma looked in her tuxedo/dress. That's what it was. A mix of black satin and crushed crimson velvet as well as black lace that stretched to her fingers. Emma had black fingernails to go with the look. She looked the part of Lady Morgana with the back dress part trailing behind her.
Henry was enthralled. "You look amazing Ma!!!" He signed. "Just like Lady Morgana!"
Ruby swallowed the gum she'd been chewing, nearly choking in surprise. "Well damn sis! You're going to stun everyone! Good job Regina. You better hook me up with something like that." She laughed. "I love your hair. Absolutely beautiful! You've got a gift, Zee." She winked at the redhead.
The limousine picked them up. A newly sleek dark red design with black trimmings to go with the theme of the movie. It's interior was also red and black. They were going in style.
When they arrived at the red carpet, it was packed with paparazzi and the media. Other cast members and producers, as well as directors, were mingling with the media people and being interviewed.
As soon as Emma got out of the limo, lights were flashing as reporters clamored for her attention. Some fans were there, trying to get Emma's autograph and picture taken with her. She smiled for the photographers and signed some autographs, posing for a few pictures as bodyguards kept an eye out for trouble. Emma moved and took hold of Regina's hand as they moved along. More lights flashed when the paparazzi saw they were holding hands. Zelena and Ruby stayed with Henry as they moved with the pair in front of them. Soon Robyn joined them and introduced her girlfriend to them.
Emma was surprised when she realized they'd already met. "Alice, yes I remember." She chuckled. "It's good to see you again."
It had surprised Regina as well. "I should have asked you about this Robyn you mentioned." She chuckled. "She's my niece after all." She beamed as she hugged Robyn.
"Hey, Aunt Regina! It's good to see you! So you and Emma? This is great!" She was happy for them.
Soon, they were met with Nancy O'Dell as well as Hoda Kotb. They talked about the movie and about what Emma was wearing before Emma let them ask Regina about how she came up with the design Emma was wearing. They then asked if they were together. They confirmed they were.
Emma chose that very moment to surprise Regina, knowing that everyone was watching.
She got down on her knee and took out a red velvet box with black trimmings. She opened it to reveal a beautiful engagement ring. "Regina Mills, I love you. You're an amazing woman and the love of my life. The woman I see spending the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?"
Regina had her hands over her mouth as her eyes teared up. Her heart raced as she realized what Emna was asking. She knew without a doubt this was what she wanted more than anything. "Yes!!! Yes, I will marry you, Emma Swan!"
Emma lit up, beaming happily as she took the ring out of the box and placed it on Regina's finger before she kissed her passionately while everyone cheered and took pictures of the couple. Henry was in the pictures with them as they wrapped their arms around their son. They took a few more pictures with Ruby and Zelena for the family pictures.
"Well, there you have it. Emma Swan is officially off the market folks." The reporters replied.
Celebrities and other people congratulated them as they moved inside to watch the movie.
After the movie was over, they cheered for how it turned out. As they started walking out, they were met by another familiar face. It was the waitress they'd met during their second date. The memory alone brought smiles to their faces.
The woman smiled at them and signed 'Thank you.' "I'm Kathryn, I just wanted to apologize for my error in judgment. And I wanted to thank you for inviting me and for the bottle of wine you sent me. Because of you, I've been taking ASL classes and learning more about the deaf culture. I want to become an interpreter for the deaf. Thank you for opening my eyes. I want to help them understand and to show people what a beautiful culture you live in. They need to be aware that being deaf doesn't mean they are broken. That silence can be a beautiful thing."
Emma was touched to know she'd affected Kathryn's life that way. "Thank you! I'm glad to know you've decided to take that direction in your life. The deaf community needs more people like you to advocate for them." She could see that Kathryn had changed in a beautiful way. She felt compelled to hug this woman, so she did just that. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Afterward, they went to celebrate at the afterparty, interacting with many people. Robyn and Alice decided to take Henry and head back to Emma's home which was becoming more like a second home for them. It was getting late and Henry needed to be in bed.
The phone vibrated in Emma's hidden pocket. She took the phone and saw there was a message for her. She pulled Regina with her to where they could have some quiet. She clicked on the app. "My results came in last night!" Her eyes grew wide as she saw she had close family members already on her family tree. She gasped. "My parents are James King and Mallory Drake… I have a sister? Lily Page?" She saw she had a message. "Lily sent me a message!" She felt emotional as she realized she had finally found her family. She smiled when she saw Henry in her family tree as her son.
Regina laughed tearfully when she saw that. She wasn't surprised, but to see their son on there, it hit her that this was all real. She rubbed Emma's back as they sat down. She saw the blonde was crying. She wrapped her arms around her shoulders and rocked her. "He's our son" she smiled, glad that this time, Emma would be there with her every step of the way. "Are you going to read what your sister sent you?"
Emma's palms were sweaty as she contemplated opening the message. Her hands trembled as she took a leap of faith and clicked on the message. They read it together.
~ Hey Emma!!!
I finally found you! I'm your sister, Lily. I was adopted, but I found our parents. And guess what? You and I are twins! I can't wait to meet you! Neither can our parents. I called them last night when the new results came in. I do hope you would be interested in meeting us. I have so much I want to share with you. Twins seem to run in our family, just to let you know. Our father, James King has a twin sister. Her name is Davina. She's awesome! Anyways, we want to meet you! Our mom, Mallory Drake wants to tell you what happened when we were born. If you're interested, please send me a message. I see you live in Manhattan. We're not very far from you. I live in Jersey City. Our parents live in Newark. We're practically neighbors! So if you're interested, let me know.
Your Sister,
Lily ~
Emma took a deep breath. She was stunned by what her sister shared. "I'm a twin… my family, they want to meet me?"
Ruby and Zelena found them. The brunette heard what her sister said and moved over to her. "I think you should go for it, Sis. For so long, you've been looking for the missing link to your family tree, to finding out your heritage. You need to find out what happened so you can get the closure you need."
Emma sniffled as she nodded. "You are my sister. I love you and Granny. I loved Anita even though she was taken so soon from us."
Ruby hugged her sister tightly and wiped her tears away. "And now you have a family to introduce them to. Why don't we do this together? That way, we can be a part of the family reunion?" She looked at the message Lily sent. "It should be easy enough to do since they live so close by."
Emma smiled, feeling better about what she would be doing. "God, I love you, Rubes!" She sighed. "Here we go." She sent Lily a message.
Regina smiled, happy for Emma. "I am so glad you found your family." She kissed her before they headed home.
########
They agreed to meet in two days at Central Park. That place would always hold special meaning to Emma and Regina for it was where they first met. It was fair that this would also be where Emma would meet her biological family.
Now that the day was there, they'd invited Granny to be a part of this special moment in Emma's life. Granny had made a beeline for Emma when she saw her and had given her a huge bear of a hug. She fussed over Emma and Ruby before meeting Regina and Henry. She was so glad to meet her great-grandson. "Just call me Granny. Everyone does!" She laughed.
Regina enjoyed meeting Granny and had introduced her to Zelena and Robyn as well as Alice. They had wanted to be there for Emma.
They had taken three picnic tables and put them together just in case. Ruby and Granny had brought food and drinks and set them up on a folding table.
Just then, Emma's family arrived. It was as if everything had shifted into slow motion. Emma saw Lily first. She saw they were of the same height. They were built the same way. They had the same cheekbones, almost the same mouths. Lily had darker hair and eyes. They'd been talking a lot, texting and calling each other after Emma had messaged her back. She had spoken with her sister, using her videophone.
"Emma!" Lily moved first, wanting to connect with her sister. She threw her arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug.
The waterworks began as the sisters cried for the lost time they needed to make up for. Neither one of them wanted to let go of the other.
Emma then lifted her head from her sister's shoulder and made eye contact with the blonde woman standing there.
Mallory had moved closer, wanting to hold her daughter in her arms. Her cheeks were wet and she noticed Emma had her eyes. Like Lily, they had the same build. Emma had her chin and cheekbones. They had the same blond hair. They had the same nose.
Lily noticed Emma had moved. She chuckled and let Mallory have her chance.
Soon, Emma felt her mother's loving embrace for the first time. She shook, feeling fresh hot tears falling as she cried. She felt her mother cry with her. And then Mallory was kissing her wet cheeks. She signed to her daughter while speaking. "My beautiful daughter. I have waited for a long time to find you. I love you so much and have loved you and Lily from the first moment I found out I was pregnant. I have so much I need to share with you."
Regina looked at Ruby and smiled. "Now I see where Emma gets her gift with words from." She and Ruby dabbed at their eyes with their kleenexes.
James then came and smiled, his eyes were wet. He began signing. "Hi, Emma, I'm your Dad. I love you. You're beautiful!" He hugged his daughter. "We saw you on the news. I'm proud of you." He continued signing. "This is my twin sister, Davina. Your Aunt."
Emma could see that Davina was different from James. She was dressed in down to earth clothes.
"Hey, Emma! It's so good to finally meet you. Welcome to our family!" Davina signed as she hugged her niece.
It was clear to Emma as the pieces began falling into place. Her father was deaf, Davina was hard-of-hearing. Mallory was hearing as was Lily. But they all signed just as fluidly as she did.
Later, she would discover that Davina was a hermaphrodite like she was. James and Davina had darker hair which accounted for Lily having dark hair.
They gathered to eat while Mallory and Ruby took turns interpreting when James signed. He didn't speak as well as Emma or Davina did.
Emma then asked her birth mother. "What happened? Why did you give us away?"
Mallory sighed. "I didn't. I never gave either one of you away. I never signed my rights away. My father was not a good man. I'm sorry, our family has a dark history. But I had both of you in my life for a short time. My father didn't like James. And well, your grandfather was a mean drunk. When I stepped out to get more diapers, he took you both and left you at the orphanage a few towns away. He refused to tell me where you were until a few days before he died. Then I tried to find you and Lily. Your sister found me first. We found each other through Ancestry. And now here you are. Had I known he would have done something like that, I would have taken you both and run away. James was always working, trying to support us and to save up for a new house for the four of us. My father ripped that away from us when he took you and your sister away from us."
Emma was floored by what her mother said. It made her feel better knowing their parents loved them. "I was born different."
Mallory and James smiled and nodded. "Just like your Aunt Davina." James signed.
Davina chuckled and winked at Emma.
Emma smiled then. "This is Henry. He's my son with Regina. He's also deaf, so I know now, where we get that from." She chuckled.
Mallory and James were thrilled to find out they had a grandson. They knew they wanted to be a part of their lives.
"I know we have missed out on the majority of your lives, but I really want to be in your life, if you will let me."
"Me too. We never gave you two away and we never stopped loving you." James signed.
Emma smiled. "I'd like that very much. Granny and Ruby took me in when no one else would after my last foster home. "I love them and they are family to me too. Ruby is my sister and I'm glad to have Lily in my life now. I look forward to getting to know you, Mom, and Dad." She smiled knowingly when her mother wiped away a stray tear.
Regina chuckled softly. "There's more to the story here, but that's for another time. We have plenty of time to share it with you now." She hummed happily. "Shall we tell them our news dear?" She looked at Emma.
Emma chuckled as she had Henry come closer. "Hey Kid, the news is for you too." She signed and chuckled before looking at Regina who had a very giddy smile on her face. "Go ahead, tell them."
Regina licked her lips and smiled. "Some of our family knows this, Emma asked me to marry her. I said yes."
"I would love it if you all come to the wedding, to be a part of this moment in my life. No more missed milestones from here on out." Emma signed.
Mallory looked like she was about to start bawling. James grinned as he signed. "We will be there! I know we don't want to miss out on anything else in your lives ever again."
Regina chuckled. "That's not the only news we have to share." She signed, not wanting to hold out on them anymore when she saw Henry becoming a bit bored.
Emma was grinning as she kissed Regina.
The brunette put her hand on her abdomen. "I'm pregnant. Henry will be a big brother soon."
Henry's jaw dropped and he was no longer bored as he perked up at their news. "I'm going to have a baby brother or sister?" He signed as he smiled happily while wrapping his arms around his brunette mother.
Ruby jumped up, shouting with joy. "YES!!!"
Granny laughed. "We need to celebrate with dessert!"
Lily's jaw dropped. "I get to be an aunt from the start! You and I need to get ice cream, Henry."
Mallory ran and hugged Regina and Emma. "You've made me so happy!"
"Proud Auntie here!!!" Zelena laughed as she hugged her sister and sister in law to be. "We need to celebrate!!!
"I agree." Lily laughed. "Do you think she's having a boy or girl? Or maybe she could be having twins?"
Zelena's jaw dropped as did Regina's as Emma and Lily laughed.