A/N Here's the next chapter! But I've got finals next week and then I'm going on vacation for a week over Christmas and I won't have my laptop so I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next. So please leave reviews on what you think and what you want to see :)
"Neal," was the first thing Emma said when Regina answered the phone, moving back into the guest room.
"What?" Regina asked incredulously.
"Neal," Emma repeated, "Was Henry's father."
Regina didn't know what to say, but luckily Emma took the silence to continue.
"I was seventeen and he was my first boyfriend… and of course my first love. Until now he was-he was my only love," Emma took a shuddering breath before continuing. "I was also young and naïve, and he made me believe that we would be together forever. He promised he would never leave me, and I believed him.
"When I first realized I was late I didn't know what to do. I mean I had never had parents—how could I possibly be a good mother? Ruby was my first call and she told me she'd support me with whatever I wanted to do… she even told me she'd stay with me to tell Neal but I insisted on doing it on my own. I mean sure it was a surprise, but I was delusional in believing that he really did love me no matter what, and we could raise this child together.
"So I told Neal one night at dinner. We didn't have a lot, but I still managed to make us something decent. At first he seemed supportive; at least to my blind eye. But he started pulling away, until one day I came home from my waitressing job and all of his bags were packed. He left and I haven't seen him since. While Ruby has been with me the whole way, Neal is the reason I've never trusted anyone. I wasn't lying when I said I haven't dated because of Henry, but it also wasn't the complete truth… it's because of Neal, too. But you changed that and I- I messed it up. And I'm sorry."
Regina could fully hear Emma crying on the other end of the phone now, but she still wasn't quite sure what to say. How could she have known?
"I understand if you still don't want to see me anymore," Emma whispered. "But I just wanted you to know."
The two sat in silence for a moment before Emma said in a resigned voice, "Okay, I guess that means-"
"No, wait!" Regina exclaimed. "Just wait. I need time to think."
She sighed; Mary Margaret was right when she told Regina that she needed to hear Emma's side of things, but now she still wasn't sure what to do.
"I'll call you later okay?" Regina said. One way or the other…
There was a pause before Emma answered. "Okay. And I also wanted to say thank you, you know for staying with me at the hospital that whole time. And being good to Henry even though you were blindsided."
"It's no problem," Regina replied curtly.
"I guess I'll… talk to you later," Emma said.
She sounded tired, Regina noted, and while it must have been from the accident, Regina imagined that part of it could be because of her as well. That feeling didn't sit well with her.
Regina shook her head, happy Emma couldn't see her.
"Goodbye," she said softly, ending the call.
As she put her phone beside her on the bed, she lay back, wondering what she was going to do.
….
Emma sat in her hospital bed, a frown prominent on her face. She knew Ruby was right when she told her to explain things to Regina and give her time, but that phone call didn't give her much hope.
She was glad Regina had answered, but Emma hoped she didn't need much more time. She also wasn't sure if Regina noticed her mention of love…
"Ugh!" Emma groaned, running only her left hand through her hair and then staring at the right side of her body in even more frustration. If she couldn't even be angry properly how was she going to last six weeks in these casts?
Not to mention the physical therapy, Emma though bitterly. And how expensive it is…
Soon enough Ruby walked in with Henry, breaking Emma out of her thoughts.
"Mommy!" the little boy cried.
"Henry!" Emma exclaimed back, putting on a happy face for her son. He was all that really mattered now.
Ruby set him down gently on Emma's left side before giving her friend a quick kiss on the cheek and sitting down.
"You're hurt Mommy," Henry said, his lower lip trembling a little.
"I am," Emma answered in a serious tone. "But you know what would make me a whole lot better?"
Henry shook his head with a somber expression.
"How about a kiss from my favorite person?" Emma told him, glad to see his eyes lighting up at her answer.
The little boy scrambled up on his knees to give his mother a sloppy kiss on the cheek, before flopping down on her chest.
Ruby noticed Emma wince briefly from the pain in her ribs, but then she wrapped her left arm around her son and breathed in his scent, closing her eyes for a second before meeting Ruby's gaze.
"All better?" Ruby joked, her voice not as upbeat as it was normally.
Emma gave her a grim smile, aware of the fact that Henry couldn't see from the position on her chest.
"Of course," Emma responded. "How could anyone not be after a Henry kiss?" she said, poking her son's sides gently. She was rewarded with a small giggle, which in turn made her own expression light up briefly.
Ruby observed the two for a second before speaking again.
"I'm gonna go find the doctor so I can ask about your physical therapy," she said. Emma knew that Ruby was determined to help her pay for it, and she was letting it slide for now but ultimately she knew she would have to scrape the money together herself.
As Ruby walked out of the room, Emma shifted her and Henry's positions to be more comfortable and then began rubbing his back.
"So what did Santa bring you?" she asked him, feigning excitement as if she didn't already know. Ruby had brought him home early this morning to receive his presents, and while she promised to take pictures Emma was still heartbroken she didn't get to see his face. She thought it would be better than making him wait, however, so now she could just hear him tell her about it.
Henry's eyes lit up and while he excitedly told her all about his Christmas morning, Emma let his voice calm her down and forget about Regina for now.
….
A few hours later Regina arrived at the hospital, driven by Mary Margaret. David took it upon himself to look for a new car that she could get as quickly as possible, but for now she would have to deal with public transport and relying on her stepsister when possible.
"Are you sure about this?" Mary Margaret asked, putting her hand on Regina's arm.
Regina took a deep breath, and looked up at the hospital.
"Yes," she replied firmly. "This is what I need to do."
"Okay," Mary Margaret said, a bit uncertainly. "Well call me if you need me to come back, okay?"
Regina nodded in response, although she was a bit distracted. She opened the door and got out of the car, murmuring a "Thank you" before she shut the door.
As soon as she walked into the lobby she saw Ruby talking to the doctor with a grim expression on her face. Regina rushed over, hoping something hadn't happened to Emma in the last few hours.
As she got closer, however, they realized they were talking about money.
"The insurance will pay for some, but the physical therapy is ultimately up to Emma," the doctor was saying.
Physical therapy… Regina hadn't even though of that. Although, she supposed, with Emma's right leg essentially shattered, it would be necessary. She hadn't known Emma for long, but she did know that this would be tight for her.
Decision made stronger, Regina straightened up and walked towards Ruby with purpose.
"I'm here to see Emma," she said. "Is she awake?"
"I'm not sure that's for the best," Ruby replied, barely hiding her current disdain for Regina.
Regina sighed, "Look, I know you warned me against hurting her, and I didn't mean to do that. But she hurt me too. And now we need to talk. So is she awake or not?"
Ruby eyed Regina, gauging how serious she was. After a moment she nodded, "She should be. I left her with Henry though so I would proceed carefully."
Regina nodded her understanding then walked towards Emma's room. She pushed the door open slowly, and peaked her head in. The sight she saw was enough to make her heart melt a little bit.
Emma was still lying on the bed with Henry curled into her chest, and the two were sound asleep. Henry's little hand was clutched to Emma's shirt, and her face was pressed into his head. There was no mistaking her unconditional love and protection for her son, even in sleep.
Regina felt a brief pang of shame run through her; she yelled at Emma but hadn't even let her explain herself? It was clear she had been telling the truth…
Well, I'm here now, Regina thought, moving towards the chair next to the bed. And she would stay here until Emma woke up again.
