Who: Regina & Caroline What: Catching up over coffee and Meara When: Recently Where: Casa de Disney Villains Rating/Warning: Low Status: Complete!
Having guests over meant the house was nothing but spotless, the sort of cleanliness where you could do your makeup and hair on every surface of the house - and really, it hadn’t been like this in awhile. Sleepless nights parenting, chores piling up, work on all sides, something going on with this person because of dreams, must she go on? Meara was hitting that six month peak, where her demands were a little more clear and more consistent sleep was a thing.
So were the gummy smiles and being handsy with just about everything; textures were fascinating, colors were too, everything was hers to touch (they had to be careful, sometimes the strangest things found their way into her mouth) and overall, the days of fussy infancy were now a thing of the past. At least for the most part.
She was Zelena’s spawn, technically.
The baby was pleasant today, fashioning a simple (and somewhat oversized) black bow she hadn’t torn off her head yet to pair with the spring romper. Regina was actually able to wear something nice due to the lack of projectile vomits lately - it was good progress.
“Ready to say hi to Caroline?” she cooed in a pitch that not many knew even existed. They were heading towards the door to open it, and Meara’s chub of a face was positively beaming.
Caroline’s life was insane, more so than usual. As if working, planning her wedding, and finishing her final semester of school wasn’t enough, now she was apparently pregnant. Caroline barely believed that she was actually pregnant, but she had seen it with her own eyes on the ultrasound. Thankfully there was just one in there, no magical twins, so this couldn’t be dream carry over. But of course Caroline still had to make time to see Regina. Plus being around a baby would be good for her.
As usual Caroline didn’t arrive empty handed. Although instead of the usual lattes from Baxters, this time she had some coffee from one of the shops on campus. She figured with the baby Regina could use the extra caffeine, sleeping better or not, from what she knew to the dreams kids still took a lot of energy. Regina’s usual in hand, as well as a cup for herself, Caroline smiled widely as the witch and her adorable baby answered the door. How could she not smile with that little cutie smiling at her?
“Hey,” Caroline greeted happily. “And hello to you too, Meara,” she cooed in a tone that was similar to Regina’s. And yes, she had heard Regina’s cooing. Thank you vampire hearing. “I come bearing gifts,” she added holding up to the coffee tray in her hand. “There just might be something for the little one too.” In her purse but she’d get to that once she was inside and had a free hand to fish around in her purse.
Caffeine, what a treat. Regina happily took hers - which, of course, meant Meara was automatically interested in what was in her hand. Wait about fifteen years before the coffee consumption happened, dear. “It’s like you know me,” she chuckled and opened the door wider. “Come inside. It’s clean. She’s just gotten used to taking naps that don’t require her pressed against a human, so that’s freed up plenty of time to do things.”
It was an ‘all hands on deck’ household but everyone (aside from the one with a diaper) had obligations. Spare time was a limited thing when caring for a young one.
“She just got used to that?” Man, babies seemed like a lot of work. But Caroline could handle it. She concurred pretty much everything that came her way. Besides, this was probably the only time she would be able to have a kid.
Walking further into the house, Caroline set her coffee down on the counter, digging in her bag to retrieve a hedgehog stuffed animal for Meara. “And for the little one,” she smiled setting it down after showing Regina. It wasn’t like the queen had a ton of spare hands after all. Speaking of, “Can I hold her?”
Yes, just. Babies took patience. Regina wasn’t famous for it, but that maternal instinct - even if she’d never biologically bore her own - was overwhelming, and she had all the patience in the world for the little starfish in her arms.
“Aw, that’s sweet,” she smiled, and Meara’s hands already seemed to be reaching for the offering Caroline had brought. “But of course, take her. And she’s willing, that’s a rarity.” Sometimes she was a little shy and wanted the arms of her parents, but she could be bribed otherwise. Carefully, she went from her possession to little miss vamp’s.
Caroline gingerly took the little one from Regina, smiling sweetly as she held her. “She is so adorable,” Caroline said like that wasn’t already obvious. Cradling the baby in one arm she picked up the stuffed animal with her free hand holding it out for Meara who batted it with her hand. Yeah, Caroline sort of couldn’t wait to have one of her own.
“So,” Caroline said turning her attention back to Regina. “What’s new with you? Besides getting engaged.”
“Dreams,” Regina scoffed, rolling her eyes because what else could be ‘new’ and out of the ordinary - every morning she awoke with the need to self-medicate. Usually in the form of ibuprofen to quell the headaches, our mouthwash to get the taste of Gold’s tongue out. “Other than that, nothing much - but come, sit, get comfortable.”
The latest decor in her living room consist of baby mats for Meara to play on and what looked like a treasure chest to store most her toys and other necessary baby bobs. She sat on the sofa with crossed legs, and rather contently nursed the caffeine. Mmm. “What about you? You look -”
A bit rotund was what she was about to say and while she was known for being blunt, she had tread carefully. Bloated wasn’t the right word, either. “Did you feed recently?”
“Is your evil alter ego still running around?” That just sounded way beyond confusing and complicated. Like worse than Mystic Falls and that place was insane.
Caroline followed Regina to the couch, cradling Meara in her arms. As young as she was, she still couldn’t wait to have one of her own. Besides, this might be her only chance. Everything was overwhelming right now, but Caroline was excited. You could even say she was glowing. However, she did blush slightly at Regina’s comment.
There wasn’t much of a bump, it was hardly noticeable really. Unless of course you were a vampire who was never supposed to age or gain a pound. “Um, not since this morning.” If she wasn’t holding Meare she probably would have self-consciously ran her hand over her stomach. “Don’t worry though. I’m not starved,” she joked with a small laugh. It wasn’t like she was trying to hide her pregnancy. She just hadn’t told anyone yet. She was kind of scared to. What if something happened? If it didn’t last? She was a vampire after all. The last thing she wanted was people to pity her.
Could be what she was wearing or how she was seated that made a difference, but in the end Regina’s shoulders ultimately shrugged. “My evil self is still running amuck, stuck on the idea of ancient vengeance against Snow White and everyone she loves,” she confirmed with exasperation. Then they had recently tried trapping her in a world of mirrors, but that hadn’t worked too well for she and Emma - she’d have to give her conniving bitch self some credit for her craftiness.
“What about you?” asked her queenliness, sipping the latte more. “Classes and wedding preparations - do you have someone preparing a bridal shower for you?”
“Well hopefully that doesn’t bleed over. I don’t know if this place could handle two of you.” Her tone was light, spoken as a joke, but there was definite truth to it. She had no idea what she or anyone would do if a pure evil Regina decided to show up.
“I’m so ready to be done with school.” She didn’t even need it really, with her powers and she was already set to start her own business. But she was so close she might as well get that degree. “Hanna mentioned wanting to throw it. I’m not sure when though. I think Peeta and I are going to postpone the wedding.” They were just beginning to talk about it, and the venue hadn’t been booked just yet so it wasn’t a huge deal. Besides, Caroline didn’t want to be eight months pregnant walking down the aisle. “I can totally help throw you one though!”
It wouldn’t come to fruition as long as she didn’t inject herself with the serum responsible for the slip - which was tucked away, safely, in her tomb of magics down below. Regina wouldn’t outright destroy it. Something useful could come out of it on a rainy day.
“Is it because of school? You’re supposed to be graduating soon, aren’t you?” There wasn’t a timeline marked in her planner or anything in concern to Caroline’s progression throughout the semesters, but she was fairly certain they’d discussed graduation coming up on the horizon. “I don’t think I’ll be having a bridal shower, however - it’s not my first time going through the motions, and I’d rather keep the focus on the ceremony itself. At this point in my life all the extra festivities seem unnecessary.”
Considering the whole point of a shower was to shower (puns, ugh) the bride with gifts for the new home, but they had everything material they needed.
“June,” Caroline confirmed. It was coming up fast. “I’ve been piling on a lot lately,” with the pregnancy on top of it all. She could usually handle it all, all her obligations and responsibilities. But she didn’t want to do anything to risk her baby’s health. Stress included. This was a once in a lifetime, in an eternity, thing for her.
“You should still do something to celebrate. Just for you. No Killian. A lunch maybe?”
“Perhaps,” she answered, mulling over the idea some - a rehearsal meal of sorts wouldn’t be an awful idea. Regina wouldn’t mind gathering with her closest friends and family before the piratey nuptials went down. Meara’s coo could be construed as a positive response to Caroline’s suggestion, and she seemed bright-eyed and comfortable in the blonde’s arms. “But on your end I can’t blame you for postponing it, then, since I know you’ll want to focus as much as you can planning. I have faith in your multi-tasking skills, regardless.”
“I can totally throw it for you. Or help you plan.” Not that Caroline didn’t have enough going on, but this was Regina. Caroline would make the time. “Thanks,” Caroline replied eyes shining. “We both have pretty big years coming up.” If only Regina knew just how much Caroline really had in store.