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Ch 13

Over the next few days, Amanda was healing nicely and quickly. The crew stayed at the hospital for a while, but eventually checked into a hotel. Cora did offer to not only take in Emma but also Preston and Olivia, however, Olivia graciously declined since they hotel was closer to the hospital. Emma stayed in the hotel also so she could watch Preston at night, so Olivia could go back and stay with Amanda.

Regina, Ruby, and Mal would come over after school – sometimes joined by Belle, Ella and/or Katheryn and they would all help Emma with her school work so she didn't fall behind.

"Will you be back for auditions next week for the play?" Ruby asked one afternoon.

Emma shrugged. "I don't know. My mom doesn't really want me too far from her until she knows that everyone involved has been arrested. I want to come back to school, and I want to be in the play, but what happened to Ma and me really affected mom, so I'm letting her call the shots."

Emma hadn't heard Olivia come in so she jumped a bit when she felt arms around her. "I'm glad you said that, Emma. I just had conferences with your and Preston's schools. I'm really sorry about the play, Em, but there are still a couple guys not accounted for and there is strong evidence that they know both you and Preston's schedules. I'm sorry baby girl, but you won't be going back just yet." She handed Emma some papers. "Your teachers are very impressed by the work you're doing to say caught up, but they each wanted to schedule some skype time with you just to be sure you have assignments and that everything is working well for you. Tomorrow you will have four hours for four teachers and Wednesday you'll have four hours with the other four. They may want to do more depending on how long you're out."

Emma took the papers and nodded, looking through them. "Okay." She sighed. "I guess that's what needs to be done. At least I won't stay a year behind in classes or anything." She saw a look of guilt flash across Olivia's face and she hugged her. "I'm not mad. I want to be safe, Mom. I don't want anything like that to happen again."

Olivia hugged Emma tight. "I never wanted that to happen in the first place, Emma." As usual when they talked about this, Olivia felt tears in her eyes.

"Mom, it's okay." Emma said softly, bringing her thumb up to dry Olivia's tears.

The others in the room averted their eyes respectfully and Olivia smiled. "You're the greatest, Emma. I'm so sorry it happened to you though, no matter what you try and say."

Emma shook her head. "Stop, Mom. It wasn't your fault or Mama's fault. They chose to do what they did, no one forced them."

Olivia smiled softly and gave a nod. "You're such a smart girl."

Emma grinned. "I know." She then looked at the others. "Okay guys, I wanna go see my ma. Thank you so much for all you're doing to help me."

Ruby stood and hugged Emma. "No problem, bestie."

Mal hugged her as well. "I can't wait until you're back in school, but of course, I want you to be safe."

The two went to the door as Regina went to Emma and hugged her tight. "I love you, Emma. I'll call you later."

Emma smiled and gave Regina a kiss. "I love you, too."

The three left and Emma looked at Regina, just realizing that Preston wasn't with her. "Where's Preston?"

"He's with your ma. Emma…we need to talk."

Emma hated those words. She could see this was serious so she sat down on a chair by the table in the suite. "Okay. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Emma…" Olivia sat down and tried to once again decide how she would say this. "Emma things have come up in your case."

"My case? What case?"

"Your missing persons case."

Emma was so confused. "What? Mom, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Emma, when you first came to me, I searched for a missing persons case. We searched for the year you'd have been born, five years before and five years after. We searched in New York, Mass, Maine, all the surrounding states and we found nothing."

"I know. You've told me that." Emma said, not at all liking where this was going.

"Well, there've been some recent developments. We found there was a case filed in Maine, though it didn't leave the small town it came from. Apparently, the mayor there didn't like the couple whose daughter went missing so it got no further than their local police station." She looked at Emma, biting her lip. She didn't want to do this; she didn't want to have this conversation. However, after what happened earlier, she had to.

~Earlier that day~

Amanda had finished her physical therapy for the day and everything was looking so positive for her; She'd be getting out in the next day or so. She had also noticed that Dr. Nolan and his wife were acting a bit odd around her and Olivia. Finally, Olivia told her their conversation and Amanda's heart fell. "They can't take her, can they?"

Olivia shrugged. "I've talked to our lawyer and while our adoption is legal and we can prove we did the proper searches before adopting her, if their story is correct, they can put in a petition for reversing the adoption and seek custody. She's almost sixteen though, so I'm not sure that would go through."

"Maybe it's all coincidence. Maybe she's not theirs."

"She is." Olivia stated and brought out the papers. "They had her DNA tested. Granted, they did that with out our permission, but it was done and she is theirs." She looked at her wife. "I don't know what to do, Amanda. I want to be selfish and keep Emma away from them but…but is that right for her? I mean, she's so well adjusted, but maybe she needs to hear that her parents didn't throw her away like she's always thought. They're innocent in all this too. I can't help but feel they have a right to at least talk to Emma."

Amanda sighed and laid back in the bed. "You're right. I know you are, but I don't like it."

Just then, Dr. Nolan and Mary Margaret came in the room. "Can we talk?" He asked.

Olivia nodded. "I was just telling Amanda the story."

Mary looked at them. "Look, we don't know the right answer to all this. She is so happy and loved with you two and we love seeing her like that but…but she's ours. We didn't give her up."

"We also don't want to interrupt her life or force her to be away from you two. Believe me, we thought about it." David admitted. "We thought about petitioning for custody, but then we see her with you and see her smile and we just can't."

Olivia felt herself let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I appreciate all of that. I also appreciate that this wasn't your fault and that you're innocent in all this." She cracked her neck and looked at Amanda before looking at them. "What if I just asked Emma what she wanted? I can tell her that we found her parents, or that they came forward and that all they want is to talk to her. Leave it up to her?"

David looked at Mary and then back at Olivia. "If she says yes, you'll let her talk to us?"

Olivia nodded. "Yes. If she says no, will you understand?"

David rubbed his face while Mary played with her wedding ring. Finally, they both nodded. "Yes. It'll be hard, but it'll be her choice." David stated.

~Now~

"So you see, they didn't give you away, throw you away or anything like that. You were taken from them, stolen. Knowing that, they still don't want to force you to do anything, Emma. They only ask that you meet with them, let them tell you the story."

Emma just sat there, so many thoughts in her head. "How do we know it's really me that's their daughter?"

"They did a DNA test. They had a strand of your hair without me knowing."

"They did? So it's…it's someone from the hospital? That's the only explanation."

"Emma, do you want me to tell you who they are?"

Emma rubbed her face, much like David had done earlier, and then cracked her neck like Olivia. "I…I don't know what to think, mom." She said honestly, looking at Olivia. "Can't you just tell me the right answer?"

Olivia couldn't help but chuckle. "I wish I could, Emma, but it's all up to you." She took her hand between her own. "Either way, no one will be upset. Ma and I understand if you want to talk to them, and they understand if you don't."

Emma bit her lip. "Who are they?"

Olivia looked into her eyes. "Dr. Nolan and Mary Margaret." She said softly and Emma's eyes widened.

"No way. Really? Them?" She sat back and thought a bit. "I guess I can see it. I have his chin and her nose."

"And a mix of both their eyes."

Emma digested this for a while. "So, they didn't throw me away? When he said they lost their first child, that was me? I have…other siblings?"

Olivia swallowed. "Emma, I can't answer all those questions. They did not throw you away though. That I know for a fact. If you want the full story, you can talk to them."

"Is that what you want me to do?"

"Emma, I want you to do what YOU want to do." Olivia came over beside her and put her hand on Emma's chest. "Do what feels right in here."

"I'm scared."

Olivia moved them to the sofa and cuddled with her daughter. "Talk to me. What are you scared of?"

Emma rest her head on Olivia's shoulder. "What if I'm not what they expected? What if I'm not good enough?"

Olivia stroked Emma's head, running her fingers through her hair. "Baby, you are good enough. They've already seen you and honey, you are more than they expected. But baby, remember, you're more than good enough for Ma and me and that will never change."

Emma gave a nod. "I know, mom and nothing will make me want to leave you. I'm so conflicted. I love you and Ma and I never want to leave, but I mean these are my…my…"

"Your parents. Yes, your biological parents. You can say it, baby girl. It's okay." Although it did kind of hurt, it was the truth and Olivia knew that.

"They don't want to take me away from you? This isn't a trap? If I talk to them, they won't take me?"

Olivia shook her head. "We talked about this with them. They said they had thought about trying to get custody, however they see how happy and loved you are and they don't want to take that from you. Maybe they'll want to see you from time to time, maybe they'll ask you to stay over with them, Emma, I don't know. What I do know is they and we agreed that all of this would be up to you."

"They agreed to that?"

"Yes. They want what's best for you."

"Mom? Do I have to have an answer now?"

"No, baby girl. You think about it, okay? If you have any questions or concerns, you come to me."

Emma nodded, going back to her deep thoughts. She really didn't know what to do as she was so torn. She wanted to meet her parents, wanted to hear their side. However, she was so happy with where she was now. She had put her past – for the most part – behind her and she didn't want to disrupt that.

Emma and Olivia then went to the hospital where Preston was, already with Amanda. Emma came in and hugged her mama, letting it linger just a little.

Amanda hugged her back and kissed her head. "You okay, Princess?" She asked, a bit quietly.

Emma nodded. "Yes." She said softly, really wanting to just cuddle but finding it hard on the hospital bed. "You have to get out of here. I can't cuddle with you in this bed." She tried to joke.

"You wanna cuddle? Since when?" Amanda asked with a smile. "I thought you were too old for that."

Emma shook her head and had tears in her eyes, though even she didn't know why. "I'm never too old to cuddle with my Mama."

Amanda looked at her and then Olivia, raising a brow as if to ask what was going on. Oliva just shrugged and shook her head, not really knowing what was going on.

"Em? What's wrong?" Olivia asked softly.

"Nothing." She answered, sitting on a chair and trying to calm her sudden swell of emotions. "I don't know why I'm crying."

Preston came over and sat in Emma's lap, wrapping his arms around her. "It's okay, Emma, it's okay."

Emma held him, taking deep breaths. Her breathing stopped with Dr. Nolan came in.

"Good news!" He said brightly, but then paused when he saw Emma. After just a few seconds, he continued. "Amanda, you've been cleared to go. We want you to set up some follow up physical therapy appointments and then you can go."

Emma smiled at her ma, really glad they could be done with the hospital.

"Thank you, doc." Amanda said as she started packing. "I've been waiting for this day."

As Amanda and Olivia continued packing her things, Emma watched Dr. Nolan go and she stood. "I'll be right back."

Olivia looked at her. "You sure? Want me to come with you?"

Emma shook her head. "I'm sure, I'll be fine."

Olivia nodded, and Emma went out the door, trying to find Dr. Nolan. As she turned a corner, she ran into Mary Margaret. "Oh sorry." She said and then realized who she was looking at. Blue/Green eyes met green ones and they stared for a moment.

"Emma…" Mary's voice wasn't more than a whisper as she looked at Emma, her Emma.

Emma swallowed the growing lump in her throat and sniffed. "I um…I do want to talk with you and Dr. Nolan, but I need you to promise me something. To my face, look at me and swear it."

Mary swallowed her own lump and gave a nod. "Anything."

"Please do not take me away from my moms." Emma's eyes filled with tears. "I love them, and they love me, and you have no idea what I went through before I found them. Please do not try to take me away because I will fight for that not to happen."

Mary didn't have to answer as David was now standing behind her. "Emma, I swear we won't try and take you from them. We already know we could have, but we don't want to do that to you. We're so happy you have them, and they have you but…but we want to know you too. We never wanted to lose you."

Emma gave a nod and cleared her throat. "I told Mary that I do want to talk to you, but not today. I'm sorry but this is all…it's so much and I need time. I'll have my mom call you, okay?"

Mary reached forward and took Emma's hand. "Take your time, Emma. We're just so happy that we know you're alive and well. We've waited fifteen years, we can wait a little longer."

Emma was quiet on the way back to the hotel room. She helped Olivia bring Amanda's things in, insisting Amanda not lift a thing. Their suite actually had three bedrooms, a living area, a kitchenette and a balcony. Emma put Amanda's things in her and Olivia's room and then went to sit on the balcony. She just looked out at the city and then decided to call Regina.

Emma told Regina about her parents, about what they wanted and chewed on her lip as she told Regina that she wanted to talk to them. "Regina, mom said it won't hurt her, but do you think she's lying. The very last thing I want to do is hurt my moms. They've always been here for me and I don't want them thinking that means nothing to me."

"Emma, they know that and if you are worried, just tell them again. They didn't even have to tell you about your parents, but they did. Their biggest concern has always been what is best for you, Ems. That's love. It sounds like your parents also have that in common. I can't imagine having my child taken from me and then not fighting to get them back, but they see how happy you are and that's amazing. I honestly feel like this is a win-win situation, Emma."

"Yeah? You think?"

"Yes. I think, knowing your moms and hearing what your parents have to say, that you can easily have them all in your life if that's what you want. I think they will all work together to make this the best situation for you."

Emma couldn't help but smile, feeling better about all of this. She went inside and saw Preston in his room and figured Amanda and Olivia were in there's. She was just about to knock when she heard them talking.

"Amanda, we have to let her do this and trust that she will do the right thing. This is her life, babe, her journey. We've done all we can to make her know we love her, and we have to trust her."

"I know, I just…babe, I want her happy and I'll do anything so she is, but I don't want to lose her. I feel for them and what they've gone through. I really have, and that's the only reason I'm fine with all of this. I just…I don't want them to guilt her into doing anything major."

"I don't think they will. I think if they try, they lose her again. We do have to be open to if Emma wants to spend time with them, wants to get to know her other siblings. We should probably talk to Preston as well, so he knows what's going on."

Emma thought about that. She loved her brother and never once wondered if there were more out there. She vowed right then and there that if she did ever meet her other siblings, Preston would never wonder if she loved them more; he would always be first to her. Emma knocked on the door and came in. She sat by Amanda and hugged her.

"No matter what, you're not going to lose me. They could be millionaires and promise me everything and I still wouldn't leave you. I love you. I love all of you so much."

Amanda hugged Emma and Olivia came over, also hugging Emma. "Thanks, sweet girl." Amanda stated softly. "I am sorry if I sounded doubtful, I just love you so much."

"I know. We're a family and nothing will change that."