Chapter 9 - The Daughter

Rows of rings and bracelets made of gold and precious stones, along with smooth milky pearls filled the velvet lined drawer of Regina's vanity. Some had been gifts, and one handed down from her grandmother, but many had been bought on her own. Regina selected a pair of black pearl earrings deciding to wear those today with her hair pulled up off of her neck. As Regina fastened the backings she caught her niece's reflection in the vanity mirror. Emma watched her intently as she moved to open the cap of her mauve lipstick and proceeded to gently dab her full mouth with color.

Emma's mouth formed a perfect '0' in her mindless mimic of Regina as her legs swung off the side of the high sleigh bed. She thought her aunt was beautiful without make up and liked the days when Regina forwent any. Those rare days were relaxed days when they had nowhere to be, no one to see, and nothing that needed doing.

"You're quiet this morning, baby."

Caught off guard Emma quickly closed her mouth and looked down at the carpet trying to count the tiny fibers with her eyes. Looking for something to say Emma asked what she had been wondering earlier. "What's that ring with the lady's face on it?"

Regina followed Emma's pointing finger to the drawer and reached in to pull out the gold cameo ring she wore frequently. "This was my grandmother's."

"Ma's Mother?"

"No, not your Grandmother Cora." Regina frowned at the thought and felt her chest tighten. "I'm referring to your Great Grandmother."

"Oh." Emma's nose wrinkled. The ring must be older than she thought. It was pretty in that same way. Old and mysterious. She wondered who the lady's profile was of and waited for her aunt to explain, but no further details were forth coming. That red mouth was closed firm to memory and Emma knew that asking would only make that mouth sad so she said nothing, but should have known better that that was not an option in their home.

"Is anything wrong baby?"

"No... Yeah... I guess. Okay maybe."

Regina chuckled at the cute indecision and capped her lipstick, tossing the tube in her purse before running her fingers through her hair working the strands into the beginnings of a twist. "Do you want to talk about it?" Usually when Emma was this way, pensive and quietly close, there was the unsaid that needed to be. That usually resulted in one of their needed heart to hearts.

"Are you still gonna' go to that conference at the clinic tonight?" Emma's reflection asked changing the subject.

"Yes. Ashley will be by later to watch you." Regina held the twist with one hand as she fumbled a hairpin with the other, not buying Emma evasion of her question. "Emma, is there something you need to tell me?"

"Yes." Emma honestly blurted, keeping her head low she peeked at Regina through her lashes.

"Well?"

"I'm not ready to tell you yet." The young girl stopped swinging her legs and flopped backwards on the comforter, her long hair fanning out all around her in a golden halo.

"It can't be that bad sweetheart. You can tell me anything."

"I know. It's not, but it is sorta' a big deal. I don't know how to say it yet." When she did it needed to be perfect. Just right. Emma needed these words to be right.

Regina turned to look at her niece deciding whether or not to push the subject for the moment or let it rest. At least Emma was being honest about there being something that needed to be said and for that alone Regina wanted to let the subject drop. Still, concerned she tried coaxing once more. "I wish you'd tell me that way we can clear the air for the day ahead. We'll talk about it and fix whatever it is together."

"It's not what you think." Emma tried to explain.

Regina nodded, not so sure though and decided to remind Emma. "Tell you what, if has anything to do with school, I would very much like to know before the end of the day. Otherwise, you may take your time, but I'd much prefer to hear whatever it is from you rather than someone else. You know my rule on that."

"I know." Emma nodded, mumbling as she sat up. With a huff, she slid off of the bed and went over to Regina's side, wrapping her arms around her aunt's neck and kissing her cheek.

Regina eyed the somber little face in the mirror as her hand reached up the rub the back of Emma's head, moving to trail her knuckles along a cheek. "Whatever it is, it's okay to tell me baby." She felt Emma's arms squeeze once more in answer before letting go and disappearing out the bedroom door.

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"There you are, almost ready?" Regina asked, kissing the top of her niece's head from behind before going over to the desk nook by the kitchen counter to load up her briefcase for the day.

"Yeah, can I bring my markers and notebook to draw with?" Emma asked, slipping down from her perch on the stool by the island and walking around it to stand next to Regina. She bounced a bit on her feet.

It was Friday, the Friday, she had been looking forward to all month, Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Her aunt usually spent Fridays at the free children's clinic volunteering services as the leading physician and today Emma would get to accompany her, at least for part of the day. Other doctors and nurse staff were bringing their daughters as well and a tour, luncheon, and art project had been arranged for all the children coming. All that aside she had been waiting for this day to come for another reason too. She liked it when they were out and people assumed they were in fact mother and daughter. Having a day dedicated to that specialness made Emma's heart swell. Needless to say she was very excited.

"You may, but I want you to work on your homework first before all of the activities get started. If you have time afterward then you may draw." Regina confirmed, as she placed a container of chopped fruit, Emma's snack, among medical paperwork.

"Aunnnnnt Regina can't I do it later? It's only a paragraph I have to write." Emma tried to smile her most winning grin showing the single dimple in her right cheek.

Raising a brow. "It's more than a paragraph. I checked your homework log and you'll be doing a one page book report in your best handwriting. I'll check it over later with you tonight. Besides, you will want your homework out of the way before the weekend. I was thinking we could go to a movie and lunch at Granny's tomorrow." That got a big grin from Emma. Then more softly reminding. "There is also your appointment with Dr. Nolan before that." The specialist Dr. Hopper recommended for testing finally had an opening after several weeks and she had taken the first appointment offered.

A forehead wrinkled as anxiety began to set in. "I don't want to go to the doctor. Why can I just see you like always?"

Regina reached to tuck a stray curl behind Emma's ear. "It's not that type of doctor baby. We talked about this a few weeks ago. Dr. Nolan is a little like Dr. Hopper. She will ask you some questions and set up a time to come see you at school."

Emma remembered now some worry began leaving. They had talked about it. A lot. Especially after she had thrown a fit and had a time out over the idea. More like several quiet minutes sitting on a lap while her aunt held her. "I still don't want to."

"I hear you Emma, but sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do because they are good for us." Explaining as the girl pulled away from her touch. "Remember how we talked about choices and how sometimes I make certain ones for you because I love you?"

One nod.

"This is like that."

"I don't care. I'm not going." But Emma did care very much about the way the eyes on her wrinkled at the corners and the frown deepening on red lips. She did not like doctors except her aunt; the ones who poked her with needles or poked in her thoughts. She already had Dr. Hopper. He was nice, she guessed, but she did not understand how another doctor was supposed to help.

"I hear your frustration, and we may speak more on it later so you can keep getting used to the idea and I'll answer any questions you have. But we are going. That is not one the things that is your choice." Firm in her finish, though she more than understood where the upset came from.

Emma frowned placing her elbows on the tiled counter at the idea and dropped her chin on her balled fists. She could tell her pouting was not to her aunt's liking, but she was understood and her feelings heard. That made her let the idea go for now as the snaps closed on a black leather briefcase. Emma listened to the clicking of her aunt's high heels as she watched the woman leave her to think.

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The tall glass door marked with the clinic's insignia flashed from the sun's gleam as they entered. Emma adjusted her purple backpack full of art supplies and unfortunately her homework as she quickened her step to keep up with her aunt's stride. Emma was intrigued as well as intimidated by all of the people bustling about the cool sterile halls. All over, the walls were decorated with children's drawings, posters, and bright colors of red, purple and yellow.

Nurses and doctors in white lab coats hurried past them. Some with their arms full of files and others assisting patients or their families. Emma hated crowds and reached for Regina's hand instinctively. Her aunt acknowledged her discomfort with a gentle squeeze, as Regina greeted fellow colleague's with a nod and a smile as they passed.

Emma looked over and up. It seemed that her aunt had a presence and beauty that made men and women pause to look as she passed; like the Queens she read about in her fantasy books. Dressed in a black knee length pencil skirt with a laced cream blouse accented with a silver chain belt and closed toed pointed heels Regina appeared every bit the professional. Then her eyes travels back down to her Converse. Emma vowed one day to dare attempt such fashion like that, but seriously doubted her efforts would even come close to her aunt's very much at all.

The thought left her as they approached Regina's office, a small but tidy space that fit a desk along with a bookcase and a set of chairs among a small fridge and water cooler in the corner. Emma set down her things as her aunt opened the blinds allowing sunlight to brighten the cramped space. She had asked once why the offices were so different and Regina had explained that being a free public clinic, resources were limited along with space. Emma much preferred her aunt's other office downtown.

"I have to make my rounds." Regina began while putting on her white doctor's coat and adjusting her stethoscope around her neck. "While I do that you go ahead and get started on your homework. It's still a few hours before everyone will be gathering for the tour so I'll be back to check on you in a bit."

"Kay—but will you keep the door open? It's hot in here." Emma said rolling up the sleeves of her purple shirt.

Regina nodded giving a quick kiss to the top of Emma's head, leaving the door ajar as she exited into the busy hallway. Quite reluctantly, Emma sat with her back toward the door and pulled out her notebook and pencil box to begin her book report for Where the Red Fern Grows.

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"Hey Regina, it's good to have you back!"

"Hello Jasmine, it's good to see you too. What did I miss?" Regina asked her colleague at the nurse's station. She shifted quickly through the charts in her box, skimming the labels for updates on her assigned cases as Jasmine gave her the run down on patients she had delegated temporarily the last several weeks in her absence.

Dr. Shirin shook her head as she finished up. "Not much else though. Some of the nurses caught that flu bug last week and we've been understaffed along with the usual patient overflow, but just the usual stuff." The young woman stopped as she registered a pained look flash across Regina's features.

"You should have called me. I kept my work phone on for a reason." Regina insisted while taking a heavy stack of paperwork in her arms. She sighed as she let her thumb run along the stacks thick colorful side.

"And interrupt your home situation with your kid, I think not Regina. We handled it like we always do when one of us has to step away. You have done more than your fair share around here the last several years. It's someone else's turn to support you." She smiled and rested a hand on Regina's shoulder. "I am glad you're back, however. How are you? How's Emma doing? Is there anything you need?" Jasmine tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear as she met the shielded gaze.

This personal confrontation was what Regina had been dreading. The questions, the excuses, and explanations she wasn't ready for. She was not ready to be this person, this hurting person whose sister took her life, leaving her with a grieving child.

Not yet.

"Fine. We're fine thank you." The sour taste of a half truth left her mouth dry as she forced a smile to her full lips, "Emma's back in school and I'm here. Look Jasmine I appreciate your concern, but I'd just prefer not to talk about it, okay?"

Large brown eyes softened with understanding. "Sure thing, just know that if you need anything we're all here for you."

Regina smiled tightly and nodded once before hugging the charts to her chest. Already people were looking at her differently. With sympathy and compassion. Sympathy she could handle, but compassion; that was not something she handled well because of what it meant. She was not used to help, found it difficult to accept from others. It made her feel vulnerable and right now that was a feeling she did not think she could handle. Turning sharply on her heel, Regina headed toward her first patient of the day with a tight heat pushing behind her eyes.

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"Ugh." Emma scowled as the tip broke on her second pencil. She was having difficulty concentrating with the fun filled day ahead of her. Glancing around her aunt's desk for another pencil and seeing nothing but pens, she stood and wandered out into the hall. Directly across from the office was the nurse call station and a small waiting area for patients and their families. It was early yet, so there were only a few people waiting; a boy and his father, a pregnant teenage girl and an older woman who seemed startled when Emma had come out of the office. She tried to smile a bit having seen other people do that when being looked at, but she was uncomfortable with those blue eyes on her. More insistent but polite she worked to get the attention of the registered nurse behind the counter.

"Do you have any pencils I could borrow please…" Looking at the name tag. "Ms. Ratchet? I'm trying to do my homework and my tips broke." Emma used her best mannered voice to lure the woman's eyes from the pile of charts in front of her.

"I have something better." The thin woman in blue scrubs leaned down to dig around in her purse for a moment and produced a bright yellow dinosaur pencil sharpener.

Emma's brow scrunched at the oddity of such an item being in this grown woman's handbag. The nurse smiled at her though.

"It's my daughter's. She's coming here later today for the tour and activities. I guess you tagged along with your Aunt Regina for that, too?"

Emma further relaxed when she realized this woman knew her aunt. "Yeah, but I have to finish my homework first."

"As you should, but let me know if you need anything else."

"Thanks Ms. Ratchet." Emma took the offered sharpener and turned to go back into the office just as the older woman sitting in the waiting area hurried towards her. The lady was dressed impeccably and moved with the air of someone who was used to getting what was wanted. She thought maybe it was another person who her aunt worked with and so she paused in wait.

"Your name is Emma West."

Startled Emma stepped back, her red Converse squeaking on the linoleum. Her eyes took in this tall, thin woman with curling red hair wondering how she knew her old name.

Ms. Ratchet noted Emma's reaction to this woman and stood up from her swivel chair. "Can I help you with something Ms…?"

"I spoke to you young miss. That is your name, is it not?" The red haired woman ignored the nurse's question, her cat like blue eyes locked on Emma's.

The young girl wracked her memory; the voice, the Boston accent, the sharpness of that downturned mouth. Her throat closed as the memories came rushing back. Ones she had forgotten about in their fogginess and she was unable to speak.

"You need to step back, please—" Ms. Ratchet began to interject on behalf of Emma.

Annoyed the woman scoffed and tapped the cane she had twice on the floor with authority. "Nonsense, she knows me. Don't you Emma?" The child nodded once after a long moment. Taking a step forward she lifted Emma's chin looking right into green eyes seeing recognition. "I'm her Grandmother."

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"How's the homework coming along Emma?" Regina asked as she peered into the office to check on her niece before heading back to file her finished paperwork. She was a startled, not seeing her child, noting the unfinished papers on the desk with Emma's handwriting.

"Dr. Mills?"

Regina turned at the sound of a familiar voice. "Ms. Ratchet, have you seen my niece?" She asked, crossing the hallway to stand next to the counter.

"I thought she told you where they were going. Your mother, I mean. She said she'd left you a message on your cell that she had Emma. Your niece seemed surprised at first, but okay with it. They left about fifteen minutes ago."

Regina felt as if she had been slapped. The heavy words registered and she dropped the stack of files on the counter. "What? That's not…" Her mind was spinning and for a moment she felt sick. She braced her hands on the countertop taking a deep breath. "Where?"

"Your mother said something about an ice-cream sundae. Maybe they went to the cafeteria, or around the corner for a treat. Is there something wrong? You seem really upset." Those concerned words fell on deaf ears as Regina broke into a sprint to the elevator.

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"How come you're here now, but not before? I mean..." Emma stumbled over her words. Not quite knowing where to begin, she took another big bite of vanilla ice-cream, letting the heavy cream coat her dry throat. Wiggling to get comfortable in the hard plastic chair in the clinic café she stared at the mouth of the woman across from her. She had been curious at her Grandmother's appearance after so many years and the promise of ice-cream and maybe some more information about her Aunt's past was enough to get her to agree to a conversation.

"You look so much like your mother—" Cora reached to run her fingers through Emma's long curls. The child pulled back from her touch and she stopped, realizing the girl's eyes misted with tears that did not fall.

It was still a very raw and sore subject for Emma, but she found herself unable to resist an opportunity to learn more about a past not spoken of. This was also a woman who she barely remembered having occasionally sent gifts and birthday cards with one visit during a rare holiday when her mother had been sober. That had been the best Christmas she could remember before living with her aunt. There had been food, lots of it and she had gotten a present too. Her mother was nice that day. The adults had fought though. A lot. And after a few hours her Grandmother had left and her mother took a bottle and locked herself in the bedroom. Emma had not seen her Grandmother since.

"I have tried for years to locate you, especially when I learned Regina had you. Your mother wasn't the best at forwarding addresses and you two were always on the move. And Regina likes her privacy, it seems."

Beginning to get a knot in her tummy Emma repeated her earlier question. "But I've been with Aunt Regina for a long time. How come you didn't come before now?"

Cora quirked a brow. Smart this girl was. She needed to be careful. "It seems Regina didn't want me to find you my dear. I had no idea you were in Arizona. I flew in from Boston last night to visit an old friend who was kind enough to have noted my darling daughter's picture in the newspaper a few weeks back, in that article about naturopathy and well, here I am."

Emma remembered the article and her aunt's excitement over the reference, but her aunt had been displeased with the picture. She had not been sure of why, but maybe now thought she understood.

Cora smiled and reached out again toward Emma, caressing a cheek with her fingers.

The girl pulled back, not won over so easily. "I barely remember you. I mean I was just a little kid and everything was so crazy all the time. She was crazy." Emma corrected herself referring to her mother, taking another bite of the sweet sugar and glancing around them. She drummed her toes into the floor in a restless way, now regretting going with this woman.

Sensing discomfort, Cora switched tactics, to begin asking the questions she really wanted answers too instead of small talk. "You must know of your aunt's work quite a bit don't you dear? She makes quite a good living now doesn't she?"

Emma nodded unsure of where this was going. Her aunt never talked about money, but Emma knew they had plenty of food and clothes in the house. She even had an allowance, so that must mean there was enough of it.

"How has her practice been going? Is she investing—" Cora stopped abruptly as she saw a woman quickly approaching them.

Cora stood up in shock of finally seeing her daughter after fifteen long years. She last remembered Regina as an 18 year old young woman. In her eldest daughter's eighteenth year everything changed. The day after graduation, one Cora had not attended; Regina had disappeared severing all contact with her. Shortly after her husband had died of a heart attack—and her upscale means of living died with him. The insurance money had not lasted as long as she thought it would. She had been left alone to try and raise Zelena. Out of both her daughters, Regina had had the most potential. A potential Cora needed to come through for her right now.

Their eyes locked across the cafe.

Regina's heart stopped pounding for brief a moment at the sheer shock of seeing this woman, her mother, a part of her she had buried so long ago so close. They had had limited contact through the years, but nothing face to face and Regina had fought tooth and nail to keep it that way.

Until now.

"What is it?" Emma asked at her Grandmother's loss for words. She spun around in her chair and swallowed hard. Brown eyes now on her and flashing with something she realized she might be in trouble.

Regina quickly went over the Emma's side of the table and pulled her under her arms to stand up. She turned the girl around by her shoulders to face her and hugged tightly. So tight and fierce and glad Emma was in her arms that she finally found her voice. "Don't you ever go with someone you don't know, I had no idea where you were." Pulling back she leaned down so their eyes were level. "You scared me Emma. Feel my heart, it is racing." Regina quickly took Emma's hand and placed it to her chest.

Emma nodded and apologized profusely as Regina hugged her once again.

"And you..." Regina released Emma and guided the girl behind her, fighting the welling anger inside so she wouldn't make a scene. She swallowed it down along with the passion to rip the woman in front of her to shreds for disappearing with her child. "How dare you come in here and lure her away." Her voice was low and had an underlying tremble she remembered always being there whenever she had dared speak out of turn to her Mother. She took stock of the woman in front of her. The cane and limp too. Cora was softer about the eyes than Regina remembered but time apart had done nothing to change the rest of that sharp pinched face. Physically Cora appeared helpless enough, but on the inside Regina knew was a shrewd mind and a hard heart.

"I came to see you." Carefully coy, Cora began as the little girl watched them. "I had an appointment, under a different name because I knew you wouldn't willingly see me. Imagine my delight when I saw my Granddaughter." She took a step forward, forcing a smile. "You were wrong to keep her from me Regina. Zelena wouldn't have wanted that."

Emma looked between the adults and tugged on her aunt's white coat as a hand squeezed her shoulder. "Aunt Regina, what's she mean?"

Ignoring the question Regina stepped back in front of Emma and opened her mouth to counter that claim, but Cora beat her to it.

"I mean dear girl that your mother would have wanted you and I to have a relationship." Then pacifying as her daughter's face reddened. Too much ammo too soon, she pulled back. "I just want to talk Regina and I saw Emma in the hall and I knew it was her." Cora framed her defense.

Emma looked at her Grandmother's eyes from behind Regina's protective stance. They were like ice. She did not have a word for the feeling they made her feel, but she wondered how someone could shift so drastically from one moment to the next. There was something different about the quality of her Grandmother's tone; it changed from when it had just been them speaking. Like when some adults talked down to kids who they thought didn't understand basic things. She had been spoken to like that a lot by her mother and to hear her Grandmother do the same made her stomach flip. It was too familiar and not in a good way. Instinctively Emma leaned in closer to her aunt.

"You have no business here with me or Emma" Then remembering she had the power. "I will not do this, not in front of these people, and not in front of Emma. I have nothing more to say to you."

"Aunt Regina I think she—" Emma tried to explain what had happened, but she promptly shut her mouth when she got 'the look'.

"You and I will speak soon enough." Regina affirmed, before taking her niece's hand and turning toward the elevator.

"Regina, don't you walk away from me."

Heels paused briefly at that prickly tone—a well conditioned response. But Regina pushed forward a moment later.

Louder. "After fifteen years you owe me one face to face talk Regina." But her daughter's heels kept moving and she played her final card. "Especially, since Zelena's suicide."

Those words reached right through Regina's ears and down into her heart to bite, halting her feet for a long moment. Emma looked from aunt's profile to back over her shoulder to that pinched face, seeing the shift once again in those blue eyes from hard to soft. Something wasn't right and it sent a chill to creep down her back, making her look back at her shoes.

"Emma I want you to go over by the elevator and wait for me. Stay right by the doors. I'll be there in a moment." Regina instructed and sent her niece off with a gentle nudge. With Emma out of ear shot Regina turned around and walked back over to her mother. "You didn't even bother to come pay your respects at her funeral." The way her mother's eyes shifted made her sick. "I know you got my messages so it's no use pretending. I owe you absolutely nothing. Her death is not my fault."

Scoffing. "Zelena called me from the prison telling me what you had done. I could have wrung your neck for it. You knew she had problems, that she was weak and—"

"She was not weak. She was hurting and needed—"

"You both were always so needy. Needy little girls who couldn't appreciate how good you had it."

"How good we…?" Regina shook her head in disbelief. Then closer she stepped, right into Cora's personal space. "Good like the beatings he gave us with his belt? Or good like how he found excuses to touch us inappropriately? Which good was good enough for you to stay in denial Mother about what Leopold did?"

"How dare you speak about him like that?" Cora's hand moved to slap, but her wrist was caught by a quick hand.

"I dare because it is the truth."

Cora yanked her wrist away from her daughter. "Leopold loved you both. He gave you everything you girls wanted."

"No Mother, he gave you everything you wanted." Regina hissed through her teeth. "He abused us and you let it happen because it was easier for you to have the life you had always wanted and not to see him for the monster he was. I told you time and again how he treated us. You saw the marks, heard us crying and you ignored me or punished me for talking about it. Well I am not that little girl you can slap into silence anymore."

And the following silence of truth was thick as it was deafening.

Regina swallowed the thick to break the open the rest that needed saying. "And as for Zelena…" Brown eyes filled with hurt flashed. Her mother nearly always had a tumbler of some drink in hand well before happy hour as they grew up. Cora had hid that addition almost as well as the one had to prescription pain killers, and the rage had only come out behind closed doors. "Who was her mother? I was just a child and you put her care in mine and punished me for her faults; you're still punishing me." Through the heat of the moment Regina found herself raising her voice and realized they were beginning to attract stares. Her surroundings registered and she shook her head. "I can't continue this." She said, turning to step away.

"I won't go away that easily Regina. You know that I will make a scene if I need to get your attention. Here, at your work or the house. Maybe even Emma's school." She had no idea where her daughter's home or granddaughter's school was, but it certainly got the focus she wanted.

At that threat Regina questioned just how much her mother knew about their life. Not wanting to risk any more upset, for Emma, she pursed her lips. "Fine. I will listen to why you came here for five minutes in my office, but on one condition; you don't look at or speak to Emma. She is off limits."

Cora nodded in agreement and followed behind her daughter towards the elevators.

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Through the glass and a crack in the cream blinds Regina watched as Emma tried to work on homework in the waiting room outside of her office. The child kept stopping and staring at nothing, no doubt anxious over what had happened. Pulling her concern away Regina refocused her gaze to the woman sitting across from her desk. Cora clutched a purse in lap and sat on the edge of the plastic chair gazing around the small office with disdain.

"I see you disapprove, as usual." Not that it mattered, Regina mused. She had long stopped caring what her Mother thought of her.

"I imagined that based on how much prestige that writer in the paper credited you with that this clinic would be…" Her brows rose as she gave a delicate sniff. "More upscale." She began to question just how successful her daughter really was and if it was worth the venture out here.

"What is it you want?"

Coy again because she could be Cora began. "To begin to get to know Emma. She's all I have left apparently."

Regina stood and rounded her desk to sit on the corner. Arms crossed. "You don't show up after fifteen years to my place of work wanting to see your grandchild. You had no idea she'd even be here today when you came. You want something from me. Out with it." There would be no more hiding, Regina decided.

"Just because I show an interest in Emma doesn't mean—"

Regina's palm slapped the desk between them in frustration. "You are wasting my time. I don't know what lies you told Emma about your being here today, but I won't allow you near her, not ever. You knew where I have been and never once have you asked about Emma. The only time you made any effort to contact me was because you needed something; a prescription filled or money. So which is it today Mother?"

Cora's eyes narrowed to slits. Nothing left to hide behind she came out with it. "I need money. I am not able to have social security benefits for another year and I need something to live off of until then. I can't work, not with my leg the way it is." She tried for pity.

"Of course you do and I know the cane is nothing but a prop." Seeing right through the act Regina rolled her eyes and sighed. She was so tired of her mother's bull shit. Tired of the lies and this game between them and realized there might be a way to end it. Thinking her plan through and what she knew of the legal system and more importantly who she knew, a small hint of a grin pushed up the corner of her mouth. "If I do this, give you money, you are to leave Emma and I alone for good. No more random letters, calls, or visits like this one. You will disappear." Despite her rapid speech her mind was calm and calculated. Regina had to sever this relationship once and for all. "Otherwise, I'll have to step in as your only living relative of means to support you. You say you have no money which means you must be in debt up to your ears." Mother had never been careful with money.

Cora's cheeks reddened with that truth.

"I am guessing debt collector's are knocking on your door. Threatening to take away your home and cars and all the nice things you spent the insurance money on."

"Careful Regina. I am sure your friends and colleagues would—"

"No Mother. It is you who needs to be careful." For once she had the upper hand and she stood over her Mother wielding it. "You are in debt with no job, no money, a history of abusing prescription drugs and addiction. I could very easily go to court and petition to have you committed to rehab or even a care facility. I'm a doctor; I have many friends very high up in this industry and within law enforcement that would attest to your inability to care for yourself along with a lawyer who will back me 100%. So back to my offer; I will give you the money you need for a year in exchange for not ever hearing you again."

"You're threatening me?" A touch of uncertainty crossed Cora's eyes.

"I don't make threats. I make promises." Regina assured and reached into her purse for her checkbook. She scribbled quickly and slid the check across the desk. Cora greedily snatched it up, her eyes registering the multiple zeros.

"I suppose this is adequate."

Regina watched Cora fold the check before stashing it in a purse. "There will never be another time. Remember my promise." Regina stood and nodded toward the door, a clear indication for Cora to take leave.

Cora stood, taking her time. "It seems Leopold was wrong after all."

Shifting on her feet Regina couldn't help but ask when she had never once heard her mother say anything negative about that man. "And what was that?"

Patting a purse Cora lifted her chin. "You are good for one thing."

Stung and chiding herself for expecting anything less, Regina gestured to the door. "Goodbye Mother."

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Emma set her notebook and pencil on the chair, quickly standing up when the door to her aunt's office opened allowing her Grandmother to emerge. She stared, puzzled at why the woman heading toward the elevator was now carrying the cane instead of using it. More so at the fact that her Grandmother did not even glance at her. Emma looked at her aunt for a moment. Regina stood on the threshold of office doorway, leaning against it with arms crossed and a set frown.

"Grandma?"

It was a whisper, but the word rested heavily on the old woman's ears. Cora turned her head, eyeing the grandchild she would never see again as she stepped into the elevator. She glanced at her daughter to this young girl, a mesh of her two children and hardened her heart once again, not allowing the imploring word to register any affection. She had what she had come seeking, but as the door closed on them Cora began to wonder if she really did.

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Back in her office with the door closed Regina paced the checkered floor, her heels clicking back and forth in front of her fidgeting niece as she scolded. "How could you leave with a stranger? My heart nearly stopped when I found you gone. You can't keep running off like that Emma." Pausing and shaking her head as her hands found her hips. Too many times this lesson had not been absorbed. She was done. "Not ever again."

"I didn't mean to like you said though." But she had for one compelling reason.

"Then give me one good reason not to take you right home and turn you over my knee." Even as she said these words Regina lost her resolve to do that for the jumble of emotions running through both their systems. Not getting an answer and realizing she had not been expecting one Regina seated herself across from her niece in a matching chair. A deep breath, then beckoning she reached out a hand palm up. Emma took it and she pulled the girl to stand in front of her. Close as she needed her little one to be she rested her hands on Emma's arms.

"Aunt Reginnnaa…." Whispering the next few words for the look she was under for her whine. "She's-"

And in the lack of understanding for the danger that had been the situation Regina interrupted. "A stranger. A stranger you went with for an ice-cream sundae. Where was your head young lady? I taught you what to do in a situation like that. You run away, yell for help and go to a trusted adult." She knew she was being overprotective, maybe even a little dramatic, but for whom Emma had gone with and for all the times in the past her niece had gone missing she finally said one of her worst fears. "That is exactly how children are kidnapped, how they are found days later, dead in some field. That will not be you." Regina stopped herself from elaborating further on her fears when Emma's eyes went wide and wet. Her own grew glassy. "I'm disappointed in your choice today. That being said, you know better." She lectured and pulled Emma closer to lean against her thigh.

Emma pulled back but briefly, knowing what was coming.

"No, you do not get to fight me on this." Regina confirmed. "You will stop fighting me period, Emma." And gave three firm swats to a jean covered backside.

The girl stilled at those words. Calm from expected follow through and the slight sting blooming caused tears to begin leaking down her cheeks. Emma had met her match. Regina was the only person in this world that knew her, that meant anything to her and yet she kept fighting this love, constantly pushing and observing for any signs that this connection, their relationship, would indeed hold true.

'Why am I fighting her?' Emma wondered as her palms gripped her aunt's thigh for balance, wrinkling that perfectly ironed skirt. She was allowed a few quiet moments before her chin was lifted. Her eyes blurred. Blurting the statement burning in the back of her mouth. "But she's my Grandma."

"She is, but she is not a safe person for you to be around."

"Why not?"

"It's complicated and regardless of that, you don't know her. You went with a stranger without so much as a question of what could have happened to you." Regina's hand rested on a behind for emphasis where she had corrected.

"I'm sorry though."

Softening. "I can see that and even so, you need to understand that you don't get to make these types of choices Emma. Who you are allowed to be around is an adult decision and mine to make."

Emma's shoulders shook as she let out a breath. More tears fell, not so much from the expected swats she had gotten, but for what they meant. Her hands were taken then and squeezed.

"Are you done fighting me Emma? Do you understand what I have said to you and why I said it?"

Brows joined as Emma licked her lips as she tried to understand her authority. Toes curled and uncurled within her shoes. She was relieved, yet angry at Regina for turning the old woman away. Just as she had been when her mother had shown up at their door at Christmas time so many months ago. Try as she might she couldn't wrap her head around the complexity of the situation as easily as Regina seemed to be able to. Her next words were bitter and loud in her upset for her lack of understanding. "But she's not a stranger, she's my Grandma."

"Do not take raise your voice to me Emma." Beginning and then taking a breath and remembering her promise about sharing. Leaning forward Regina searched little eyes. "I know you want to know and understand everything. I know how frustrating it is for you when you don't have all the information you want. The issue with your Grandmother goes way back to before you were born." Another breath. "It is also very hard for me to talk about that time in my life because she allowed someone to hurt me and Zelena when we were young. Cora hurt me too and I don't trust her to keep you safe or to have your best interest in mind. That is why I do not want you around her."

That made Emma's racing mind run right into a brick wall. She knew the weight that important word; of trust and how once broken it was hard to earn back again. Emma did not trust her mother when she had been young. Had not trusted her Grandmother today and yet in her need to understand the person she did trust above anyone else in the world she had gone with the old woman anyway. A mistake. Emma realized she'd have to keep trusting Regina to do what's best, like she did over the situation with her mother. Knowing that her aunt meant well, had always meant well, helped. But Emma needed affirmation to a swelling word in her heart. Needed it like air to breathe to fully let this matter and the one that had driven a wedge between them to begin with, go.

Seeing Emma deep in thought, Regina's knuckles gently graced a fair cheek, drawing green eyes back to her own before taking back up Emma's hand. "She is not a good person Emma and I will not have her around you. I have to make these choices for you. Everything I have done since you came to live with me has been because of my love for you. I need you to trust me baby and if…" her voice cracked in the middle as she brought their joined hands to her lips and kissed the back of Emma's. "And if you don't then we need to talk about why."

"I trust you. You're my Mom." There. Right there in the air between them hung the secret desire of her heart. She dipped her head to the side, wiped her wet cheek on her shoulder. "I've been trying to tell you." Remembering to this morning when she had gotten tongue tied in Regina's room and that promise filled look from brown eyes in the mirror; to make it all better if only she said what she needed. "I feel so confused inside. I don't know where I belong and I need you to tell me."

Regina's mouth dropped open. There was a simple answer resting on her lips, so damn simple and yet she was at a loss for words. She had often wondered if this moment with Emma would ever surface and she had pictured her response, yet she was frozen in the reality of it.

Emma slipped right into Regina's lap then, as her aunt's arms slid around her, "Cause' its okay if you want to be my Mom." She assured snuggling into her favorite spot on Regina's shoulder under a chin, resting her head against the woman's heart. "I need to be yours."

The child's small hands fingered and toyed with Regina's rings until the woman pulled one hand away to lift Emma's chin. Those little eyes held such a yearning to be wanted, needed and loved. And in them Regina found the voice of her heart speaking. "You are my little girl Emma and you belong right here with me." She hugged Emma to her breast, tears rolling down her face.

"Mom?" The new affection felt right, so right how she needed it to be as it came off her lips.

"I'm right here Emma." Regina answered her daughter with a kiss to a wet pink cheek.

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A/N – Hope you liked this one.

Next time – Mother and daughter learn to work through a challenge in a new way after discovering Emma's diagnosis. Emma finds out something she did not know about her Mom that raises a big question.