Author's note: Edited April 7, 2016.
Chapter Four
Soft morning light filtered through the open window, waking Regina. At first, she was disoriented to see another person in bed with her but then she remembered she was in Emma's room. She sat up and groaned as her neck and back protested from having bent at an uncomfortable angle the whole night. She stood up and started stretching to sooth the aches. She turned her head to the left then to the right and noticed Henry looking at her.
Regina approached the crib and leaned down. "Good morning, Henry," she whispered softly, brushing a finger lightly against his cheek.
Her heart ached in longing when he grinned and raised both his hands to grab her outstretched hand. Regina let Henry hold her, only pulling away when he tried to put her finger in his tiny mouth. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was a little past six.
"Oh, I get it. You're hungry. Your mama is sick so I'll be preparing your milk again. I hope that's alright."
Henry cooed.
Regina noticed a dark spot on the bedding beneath Henry and realized his diaper must be full. She picked him up then placed him beside Emma where she proceeded to change his diaper. She also changed the wet mattress with a new one she found in his cabinet.
While Henry was occupied with his milk, Regina checked on Emma. She gently placed her hand on the sick woman's forehead and was relieved when Emma felt cooler. Regina sat back on the chair beside the bed and observed her hostess. Emma looked very young; she couldn't be more than twenty-five. Her face was free of age lines, but Regina felt like Emma had been through a lot already. During their short interactions, Emma sounded very mature and sure of herself. A glance at her hands showed roughened skin, indicating hard labor. Regina wondered if Emma had always lived in this place.
Emma let out a soft groan, disrupting Regina's observation. She stood and decided to prepare chicken broth. It's what her father and Daniel prepared when she was sick.
"Hey, Henry. Let's go cook something for your mommy, okay?" Regina gently carried him. Henry simply snuggled closer to her. With a last look at her patient, Regina left the room.
Emma suddenly sat up and sneezed. Then she slumped back down on the bed and groaned, clutching her head. When the nausea lessened, she noticed that there was something amiss. It was too quiet in the room. She opened her eyes and saw the empty crib. Panic bubbled up in her chest and she sat up once again. She slowly made her way to the crib and checked behind it, thinking that Henry must have fallen down. No Henry.
"Henry?"
She checked under the bed and still no Henry. Then she noticed that the bedroom door was slightly ajar. The opening was too small for Henry to fit so someone must have taken him. With as much energy she could muster, she hurried out of the room, where the smell of delicious cooking slammed into her, making her stop.
Emma slowly made her way to the kitchen and stopped in the doorway. First, she saw Henry on his crib near the table, chewing on his favorite chew toy, an empty milk bottle by his feet. Then she saw Regina stir something and then bend to taste what smelled like chicken soup. Her guest was still dressed in yesterday's clothes and her hair looked like it had been finger combed several times in an attempt to tame it. She watched as Regina put down the ladle and wiped her hands with a napkin before turning to towards Henry. That was when Regina noticed her.
"You shouldn't be up," Regina said.
"You fed Henry," Emma replied, ignoring the remark. She wasn't sure how to feel about Regina feeding and carrying Henry around without her permission but considering the circumstances, she was also thankful that her guest took care of him when she cannot. Emma might also be a little embarrassed with having someone take care of her. She had always relied on herself when she was hurt or sick, that is, until Granny Lucas came into her life.
Regina turned off the stove. "He was crying last night and you didn't wake up. This morning, he was hungry again."
"No..." Emma said while approaching the table. She smiled shyly. "What I meant was thank you." She suddenly grabbed hold of the table, tilting a little to her left. Regina was immediately by her side.
"Come, let's put you to bed then I'll bring you your breakfast. You really should not be moving around." Regina wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the kitchen.
"Henry..." Emma murmured.
Emma leaned against the table as Regina went to get Henry. He laid his head on her shoulder and grabbed hold of her shirt. Then she went back to Emma and supported her back to the bedroom.
Emma woke up to soft coos and gurgles. Regina was sitting on a chair turned slightly towards the window, with Henry secured in one arm while she dangled a toy above him. Henry's back was to Emma but she could still imagine his face from the sounds he was making. He was very happy and content playing with Regina.
Emma felt a twinge of jealousy, which she quickly banished. Regina had been a big help and she Emma was very thankful. She cannot imagine being so sick that she cannot take care of Henry. It may be bad of her but she was glad the storm prevented Regina from reaching the Midas' place. She frowned as she considered that Regina would probably want to leave today since the storm had already passed.
"Hey..." Emma finally said.
Regina turned to her. She dropped the toy on the chair, approached the bed and sat on the bedside chair with Henry on her lap. "How are you feeling?" she asked, frowning.
"Better," Emma replied.
"I'm glad." Regina felt Emma's forehead. "You no longer have a fever but I think you should still stay in bed. Would you like some soup again?"
Emma hesitated, embarrassed to be asking for help from a stranger but her stomach grumbled.
"I'll bring biscuits, too," Regina said, smiling. She placed Henry in the crib and turned back to Emma once he was secure.
"He missed you," Regina said softly before leaving.
Emma looked at Henry and saw him looking at her. "Hello, sweetheart," she whispered.
Henry smiled in response.
To be continued.
