"No," he said sincerely as he lifted the stroller into place and found a clip to keep it upright.
Regina looked at him with an uncertain expression and sucked in the side of her cheek as he closed the boot of the car for her, she stepped forward and placed Grace in the stroller before casually looking at David, "would you care to join us?"
David looked as surprised as Regina but quickly covered it with a smile and nodded, "I'd like that."
"Did I miss anything at the council meeting?" Regina asked casually.
David stuck his hands into his pockets as he walked beside her and thought for a moment, "the dwarves are looking into the housing crisis.."
"There's a housing crisis?" Regina interrupted.
"There will be soon," David replied, "people are splitting up, new families are forming, new babies are arriving," he gestured to Grace, "we need more housing."
Regina considered this and nodded, "just remember that the dwarves aren't known for their understanding of building. Demolition, yes. Building, no."
"They have a pretty good understanding of things," David commented.
"They did in the old world," Regina pointed out, "but here is a different matter. Different soil types, underground streams, old mines.. even I don't know exactly what is underneath Storybrooke, sometimes I shudder to think," she admitted.
"We can't exactly bring in outside help," David reminded her.
"I know," Regina nodded, "the dwarves, they are just so.." she stopped walking as she sought out the word she wanted, "chipper."
David laughed, "and that's a bad thing?"
"Yes!" Regina exclaimed as she carried on walking, "they are all pickaxes and whistling. We need thought and planning. Just.. emphasise to them to look before they leap."
"I'll talk to them first thing in the morning," David promised.
Regina nodded and they continued to walk in companionable silence as they circled the duck pond. David was staring at Grace who was looking back up at him with a half-smile and Regina looked at him, "everything okay?"
"She's beautiful," David said wistfully before looking at Regina shyly, "Snow and I are trying for a baby."
"Oh!" Regina said in surprise, she'd known the time would come but she hadn't been expecting it.
"No one knows," David commented.
Regina raised her eyebrow and smirked, "and you're trusting me with this information, why?"
"I have no idea," David laughed, "just seemed the right time and place."
"Sounds like you're about to have your own housing crisis," Regina commented.
David frowned at her in confusion and Regina laughed, "oh, come on, David! Even you must know that three adults, an eleven year old and a baby won't fit into that tiny loft."
David ignored the sleight on his intelligence and stared out at the pond as they walked, "yeah, you're right," he said thoughtfully.
Grace started to fuss and kick out at her blankets and Regina steered the stroller to a nearby bench and picked Grace up from the stroller and held her over her shoulder and rocked her gently, she looked at David staring at the baby with wonder. He was intently focusing on Grace and making noises at her to keep her entertained and reaching for her grasping fingers.
Regina sighed and rolled her eyes at what she was considering before turning around and looked questioningly at David, "would you like to hold her?"
David took a step back in surprise, "er, no, I'm.. no.." he stammered.
"For Gods sake," she muttered and handed Grace to him, "you'll need to practice if you're going to have one of your own."
He took Grace and held her at arm's length and looked at her in panic as he gently bounced her, Grace looked at him with a smile and gurgled happily at the rhythm.
"Hold her against you," Regina offered, "you won't break her."
David carefully readjusted his hold so Grace's back was against his chest with one of his arms underneath her and the other across her small body. He bounced her slightly and she made happy noises and he beamed at Regina who merely sighed and waved her hand distractedly, "go and show her the ducks or something, Charming. I have some calls to make."
He smiled and quickly approached the pond, all the while talking to Grace and pointing out the different things he could see in a baby-voice. Regina rolled her eyes and sat on the bench as she got out her mobile phone and absentmindedly looked at the screen while keeping an eye on David.
Chapter 15
"Emma?" Mary Margaret touched the blonde's shoulder softly, "Honey?"
Emma just pulled the sheets up higher around her head, "I'm not feeling well," she mumbled in reply.
Mary Margaret looked over at Henry who stood in the doorway of the bedroom they shared. As soon as Emma had driven Henry home she had made him a sandwich and told him he could play his game for as long as he wanted before climbing up the stairs and getting into bed fully dressed, complete with her boots.