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Chapter 14

The next few days saw Emma being the perfect patient. What five year old wouldn't love having guests come with presents, ice cream, noodles and love? Two days Olivia went into work while Amanda stayed with Emma. She had vacation to burn, but she wanted to introduce herself to the new detectives. She was a mixture of glad, but also kind of jealous that they had everything under control with out her. Of course Finn and Nick said she was very much missed, but that she needed to take her time. Emma took a bit longer to heal than Eugenia had originally thought, but she had stopped pressing the morphine button during the day on her third day and only pressed it at night. Olivia wondered if it was because she was scared to have nightmares, and on the fifth night, she asked if the dosage could be lowered.

"Don't worry, Olivia. Since yesterday, she hasn't actually had morphine at all. Instead, when she pushed the button, she got a low dose of Ibuprofen. We didn't tell her because we wanted to see if she would feel more pain or not. It's a good sign." She put her hand on Olivia's shoulder. "Though I'll miss having you both here."

Olivia smiled. "Thank you. We'll miss you as well. Doctor said she should be cleared either tonight or tomorrow. I just...I hope she's okay once we get home."

"I know it's not my business, so don't feel like you have to answer, but, does she see a psychiatrist? You and your friends are great with her, but she may need more."

"Yes. She was seeing one already for her past. Dr. Mason has been updated on everything and is ready to help her through this."

"Good. Now, go see her. She missed you today." Eugenia smiled as she went back to the nurses station and Olivia went in Emma's room.

Olivia smiled seeing Emma sitting up and playing a game with Amanda. When Emma saw Olivia, her eyes lit right up. "Mommy! Mommy guess what?"

"What, baby girl? Are you kicking Amanda's butt in connect four?"

Emma giggled. "Yes, but that's not what I was gonna tell you."

"She cheats." Amanda said dryly.

"I do not! You just don't like to lose!"

Olivia chuckled as she kissed Emma's cheek and then Amanda's. "We both know she's right about that." She stated as she sat down. Amanda just jokingly grumbled.

"What did you really want to tell me, Fred?"

Emma giggled again, the sound was music to Olivia's ears. "I gotted my stitches out!" She showed her arms and then lifted the gown to show her back. Olivia saw that the stitches were gone and the scar was already looking so much better.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't here with you."

"It's okay, mommy. Amanda helded my hand and it didn't hurt too much. The doctor said I did really good and that I can go home soon."

"That's great, baby girl. You've been such a good patient." Olivia noticed Emma's eyes lose their light and something like fear was in her face. "What's wrong, Emma? Don't you want to go home?"

Emma nodded slowly and sighed. "Yes, but I want to bring this medicine with me. Mommy, I had no nightmares while I was here. None. I don't wanna have them again."

Olivia moved and sat on the bed next to Emma, wrapping her arm around her. "Honey, I know you hate nightmares. Everyone does. But I'm afraid that there's no way for us to stop them. I think you haven't had any because your body has been so focused on healing that it hasn't had a chance to focus on anything else. If you have nightmares, we'll deal with them like we always do."

"You mean you making me feel safe?"

Olivia nodded and bit her lip. "I do still make you feel safe, don't I?"

Emma nodded and looked at Olivia. "Yes, of course you do."

"Even though I couldn't protect you like I promised?"

Emma turned and looked at Olivia. "Mommy don't. Maybe you couldn't keep her from me, but you didn't give up. Nick and Amanda both told me how upset you were and how you didn't stop looking for me. I'm not stupid, mommy, I know that if you didn't love me, if you didn't care, I never would have been saved. I'm sorry that I was mad at you at first, but I wasn't really. I just...I was mad at her and saying I was mad at you."

Olivia pulled Emma close and kissed her forehead. "I understand and I'd understand if you were mad at me. But I will do everything I can to keep you safe, Emma. I promise."

There was a knock at the door and Emma moved closer to Olivia when she saw Alex, the DA. She incorporated the woman with Jane now.

"It's okay, Emma. I know the last time you saw me wasn't that great, but I'm here with some good news." She came in and sat down. "Jane is in jail for life. Her trial was short and you won't ever have to worry about her again."

"Good." Emma said with a nod. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, but there's more. The Montorelli's are also in jail, Emma. Because you were so brave to tell us everything, we were able to investigate and see that you weren't the only one who they had hurt. They will be in jail for a very long time as well." Alex gave Emma a smile. "Emma, you were so brave and so strong to tell us everything that we've been able to help any kids that these people could have had in the future. You're a hero."

Emma looked at Alex and seemed to not hear the hero part, only the other part. "They hurt other kids? If they hurt other kids, why did I get sent there?"

Olivia rubbed Emma's arm as Alex sighed. Of course Emma would ask this; this girl was smarter than the average five year old. "We don't know, Emma. Part of it is because some kids didn't say anything, and part of it is because social services didn't do their job. There were reports made but..."

"But they said the kid was lying." Emma said, angry tears in her eyes as she picked at her blanket. "They always say we're lying. Even if we have bruises or scars, they say we lie. Maybe some do, but not all of us."

Alex put her hand over Emma's. "I know you've been treated so unfairly, Emma. You've inspired me though. I've talked with some lawyer friends and friends in different fields and we've pushed social services to open files that were closed. We've pushed them to investigate any complaint, even if it was decided the child was a liar. We've given this project a nickname. Opperation: Emma Swan."

Emma couldn't help but smile a little at that. "You're going to help so many kids, Alex!"

"We hope so. We're starting in Manhattan, but hope to expand over New York City, then the state, and then every state. Like I said, you're a hero. Maybe when you're feeling better, you can help us."

"How?"

"By making a video. If it's okay with you and Olivia, I'd love to have a video to show the judges, social workers, anyone who needs proof that this is needed. You could tell what ever part of your story you're comfortable sharing and tell them, in your own words, how important this is for foster kids. Emma, you'd be giving foster kids a voice."

Emma looked at Olivia. "What do you think, mommy?"

Olivia smiled, seeing that Emma was actually excited about this. She never knew just how well Alex was at talking to kids and knew that the woman probably had no idea how much Emma needed to hear her words at that moment. "I think we should think about it. I think we should talk to Dr. Mason and see if she thinks this would help you. I think you need to think about it because it would be you talking and you telling your story and only you know if you can do that or not."

Emma nodded and looked at Alex, sitting up straighter. "Thank you very much, Alex. I will think about it and be in touch."

All three women gave a chuckle at Emma's adorableness and Alex gave an extra smile. "Either way, Emma, I really hope that knowing these people are locked up and can't come after you helps you. I hope it gives you some sort of comfort. You deserve it after everything."

With that Alex stood and said her good bye's to everyone as Emma sat in the bed, looking at her blanket and thinking about what she had just said. She looked at Olivia as she sat down again. "What if she's right?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean...maybe I didn't have nightmares because I knew Jane was in jail. Maybe...maybe just knowing they're not going to come after me will make it so I don't have nightmares."

Olivia gave a small shrug. "Maybe. If you tell yourself every night that they can't hurt you. But Emma, it's normal for you to have them and it's nothing that anyone is getting mad over."

"I know, but I don't want them. I hate them. They remind me of the bad times."

Olivia ran her fingers through blonde curls. "I know, love. They won't last forever."

There was another knock on the door and Doctor Munson came in with her chart. "Emma. How are you feeling? Is your back still okay with the stitches out?"

Emma nodded. "I feel okay. Nothing really hurts that much right now."

"Good. That doesn't mean you can start running all over and causing trouble." She grinned and Emma smiled. "But, let's take a look."

The doctor looked at Emma's back and arms and smiled. "You're healing really well, Emma. Today is Friday, I am clearing you to go home, but I want you to relax all weekend. By Wednesday, you should feel just like you did before this happened and we'll have a check up, but then you should be back to your normal self."

"I get to go home?"

"Yes. But did you hear the rest?"

Emma nodded, wide eyed. "Rest until Wednesday, come back here, and be normal."

Olivia chuckled along with Dr. Munson. "You are normal, I mean you can do normal kid things after that." She looked at Olivia. "I'm giving you my number with the discharge papers. If there's anything, any bleeding, if she bumps it and it hurts, if she doesn't bump it and ibuprofen doesn't take the pain away, call me. I have no doubt she'll be fine if she listens to me and rests."

"So, if I have to rest, then I don't gotta go to Dr. Mason?"

Olivia grinned. "You don't play rough there. I want you there on Monday, Emma. I know you don't like it, but she helps you, and now, you have even more to talk about. Remember how you just said you don't like nightmares? She helps with that."

"You can go to doctor's appointments. You can even go for walks, but I don't want you playing too rough. I don't want you stretching or bending too much, so no parks, no playing tag. Stick to board games, card games, coloring, anything like that. If you do that, in five days, you'll be able to play again."

"Okay." Emma sighed. It wasn't that she didn't like Dr. Mason, it was just that she hated talking about the past.

"Alright then, Emma, I'll see you on Wednesday. Olivia, Eugenia will have your discharge papers. You're free to go."

The doctor left and Olivia stood. "It's a good thing I brought you some clothes, just in case you got to go home."

As Olivia helped Emma change, Amanda loaded Olivia's car with all of Emma's gifts. Once the room was clear, the IV was taken out, the three of them walked out of the room.

"Well, Emma, you finally get to go home. I'm going to miss you." Eugenia stated as she came out of the nurses station. "I got you a balloon and some candy as a going away gift."

Emma smiled and hugged the woman. "Thank you. And thank you for taking care of me."

Good bye's were said and once outside, Amanda stated that she needed to get home and get some work done. She wanted to give the two time together at home and used work as an excuse.

"I'll see you soon, sunshine." She said as Emma hugged her.

"I love you, Amanda."

Amanda blinked to hide her tears. Happy tears. "I love you too, Fred."

Emma rolled her eyes and took Olivia's hand. Amanda gave Olivia a kiss on the cheek and left the two alone.

"Alright, Emma. Let's get home."

Once home, Olivia made sure Emma was comfortable and read through the discharge papers. "You can still take baths. I bet you need one after a week."

"Yeah. Sponge baths weren't the same."

"We can't use bubbles yet though, and the water may sting a little."

"It's okay. Nothing will hurt as bad as when it happened." The girl stated as she went off to the bathroom to get started on her bath. Olivia frowned and followed her.

"Emma, if you do want to talk about it, you know you can talk to me."

"I know. But I don't wanna talk about it."

"I won't push you, but I'm here if you change your mind." Olivia started the water and Emma carefully got in. It didn't seem to hurt so she relaxed as Olivia washed her hair. The soap from her hair stung just a little on her back, but she pushed through.

"How about Chinese and a movie tonight?"

"Sure. That sounds good."

Emma just wasn't herself, but Olivia didn't expect her to be. She just went through so much and all Olivia could do was be here for her. She ordered and they started watching Frozen. The food came and they stayed on the sofa and ate, finishing the movie. When it was done, Olivia got some ice cream and the two then watched the beginning of The Wizard of Oz.

Emma fell asleep before Dorothy went over the rainbow and Olivia turned the movie off. Carefully, she picked Emma up, locked the door, turned out the lights and went to her room. For tonight, Emma would be in her bed. She laid the girl down and was able to put cream on her back with out waking her. Tears fell from Olivia's eyes as she ran her fingers over the new scar. No matter what anyone said, she felt so guilty and as if it was her fault Emma had this scar.

Olivia took a quick shower and then got in bed next to Emma, who probably because of having to at the hospital, was asleep on her stomach. Well into the night, Olivia woke to Emma thrashing in her sleep. She scooped her up and held her close, not wanting her to hurt herself.

"No! Go away! Please don't hurt me!"

Olivia rubbed her back carefully. "Shh baby. They can't hurt you anymore. I've got you. I've got you, baby girl."

Emma stopped fighting and gasped as she opened her eyes. Right away, they filled with tears as she clung onto Olivia. "It didn't work." Her little voice whispered.

"What didn't work?"

"My stupid brain forgot that they can't hurt me. Why am I so stupid?"

Olivia lifted Emma's chin. "You're not stupid. Your brain is not stupid. Your brain hasn't figured out how to deal with everything yet, Emma, but it's not stupid, you're not stupid."

Emma sniffed and looked away, not having it in her to argue, but also not agreeing with her. "I wanna go back to bed." She stated as she got out of Olivia's lap and back into the bed.

Olivia sighed and covered Emma up, curling up next to her. "I love you, Emma. To the moon and back."

Emma gave a small smile, though her heart wasn't in it. "I love you, Mommy. For ever and ever."

Olivia tried to wait until Emma was asleep, but her eyes were heavy. Emma thought Olivia was sleeping so she quietly got up and went to the mirror on Olivia's dresser.

"Listen to me, brain. Stop being stupid! They are in jail and can't hurt us anymore. Remember that! I don't want no more nightmares, brain, I don't care if you don't get it."

If it wasn't so sad, Olivia would have laughed as she opened her eyes and watched Emma. It was cute, but it was so, so sad that she thought she had a stupid brain. She closed her eyes as Emma came padding back to the bed and cuddled up with Olivia. The girl took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and went back to sleep.

Whether it was the pep talk with her brain, or the fact that she was so tired, Emma didn't have more nightmares and woke up much happier the next morning. She took a deep breath and smiled. "Bacon." Emma got up and went to the bathroom before padding out to the kitchen. "I smell bacon!"

Olivia grinned and looked at her. "Do you? Maybe that's because I'm making some. Bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, toast, and I even cut up some melons."

"Mama! My stomach is growling now!"

"It is? What's it saying?"

Emma grinned and put her hands on her stomach. She lowered her voice to a growl. "Feed me, Emma. Feed me now!"

Olivia laughed as Emma giggled and she put the plates on the table. "I'm feeding you now."

Emma took a few bits and grinned. "Now it's saying. Thank you for feeding me, Mommy."

Olivia rubbed Emma's stomach. "You're welcome. Now keep eating."

Once they were done, Olivia called Tracy while Emma got dressed. When the girl came out, Olivia smiled. "Ruby and Neal are going to come over and play a game with you. August has a cold and can't come, but Neal wants to teach you and Ruby how to play Sorry."

Emma smiled. "Okay! That sounds fun and the doctor said I can play board games."

"That's right, he sure did."

The day was full with the kids playing various games, eating lunch, coloring, and watching a movie. By the end of the day, Neal went home but the girls had talked their moms into letting Ruby spend the night.