Hi to everyone - I hope you are all well.
2nd update as promised, hope you like it. Mentions of adult content - so please remember the mature rating.
Please review if you find a spare moment.
Regina was hot and sweaty and blew a dry breath between her lips to try and get the hair out of her eyes. It didn't work. She knew she looked a dishevelled mess, hunched over with the vibrator jammed between her legs, riding it, punishing the bed springs as she shifted trying to get an angle where the silicone touched all the right places. She never normally got like this, usually she clicked on the vibrator, the rabbit ears massaged her clit for a little while, sometimes she played with the angle and the pressure, teasing herself a little, but she didn't have to work this hard and usually came easily.
She knew what the problem was of course. Ever since her dream she had a problem with sex. She couldn't relax even with herself. At first she was scared she would hurt her healing inner walls and was taking it slow and steady, when she really needed it good and hard. Now she was healed even good and hard wasn't doing it for her. It was simple really, she was scarred by the experience in her past and wary of sex, feeling guilty for trying to find some pleasure and scared to let go. And the more she struggled with it, the more she hated herself for her weakness of letting her dead husband still continue to control her behaviour. With her self-loathing and bitterness, there was very little chance for relaxation and peace and the harder it became to reach any kind of completion. It meant her satisfaction kept eluding her and then it became a vicious circle.
Frustrated she threw the vibrator across the room where it thumped heavily against the wall and then onto the floor. It was probably broken and Regina cursed because usually it was one of her favourite toys. Her naked body collapsed onto the bed and she growled into the pillow.
She wanted a release, but she knew she hadn't even come close. She was wet and aroused and her nipples had hardened, but she hadn't felt her stomach tighten, hadn't really enjoyed any of it like she usually did. She knew no matter how much her body ached for an orgasm, it was unlikely. She remembered the last time and how long it had taken her to get over that horrific night with her husband. Thankfully there hadn't been any more nights with him, she had ramped up her plan to dispose of him and he hadn't had the chance to inflict anymore pain on her badly broken body. He was dead within a week.
However the pain had remained and the physical wounds had been slow to heal, the mental ones even slower. So much so that she wondered if she had ever actually put the experience behind her.
Certainly she had been with men since, but never really for her pleasure. She had gone to bed with them as The Queen, she had shut Regina away and went into the sexual encounters with a goal in mind. She used sex as a weapon or a tool to manipulate. She became power hungry and a much more active participant, sometimes even the aggressor because she refused to go back to the subordinate and weak little girl lying underneath a man. But it didn't bring her pleasure, there was always a line she never crossed. She never gave herself, she might give pleasure, she might gain an ally or riches or a pawn and his army to move around the kingdom and support her, but she always faked it as they came shuddering inside her.
Even with Graham the orgasms were hard fought for. She could only give in to him because she was certain he couldn't hurt her, she had his heart and controlled him. During the 28 years she often resorted to masturbation to take the edge off her needs, the only person she felt comfortable with had been herself. Her selection of bedroom toys had grown quite impressively, ones to pleasure herself and then dildos to dominate Graham with because that seemed to help her relax and be able to peak.
And then came the blonde.
It had begun as a game, but Regina had known things between them might be different because of the spark of arousal the woman ignited in her. She had become wet from their first argument and as soon as she could she had gone upstairs to furiously pump the vibrator inside herself, riding the silicone and pinching her nipples and coming much sooner and harder than she had intended.
She supposed it had a lot to do with Emma being a woman, it was a man who had caused this problem, had turned her off sex and never truly satisfied her. It was men she struggled to relax around and find a release with.
There had been a handful of women in the Enchanted Forest, but she rarely had time for that as she was so consumed with her hunt for Snow White and when it did happen it wasn't spontaneous. She would pick a woman she found attractive and show them the luxury of the castle, fine food, a warm bed and comfortable mattress, a nice item of jewellery. Looking back now she could see it was glorified prostitution but the women were grateful and worshipped her body, but there was no spark, no passion. But there was also no risk, she had magic and was more powerful than the women, they would not dominate or demand from her, they possessed no threat and that enabled her to relax and finally find some level of sexual release.
But now Regina had been cast back decades, to a state where she feared the intimacy of sex. She knew it wasn't really who she was, she had moved on from that many years ago, and yet the dream had caused a resurgence in her subconscious. Her protective instincts had automatically awoken and she had shut herself away, her body and mind pulled away from intimacy and any human contact. Depressingly even her own touch failed to stir her fully.
Worse then that she knew she couldn't allow the blonde to touch her, to come into her personal space. She had an invisible wall in place, one she didn't want there but she was helpless to navigate round. It was there to protect her, and would keep Emma out. Regina hated it, she felt like she wasn't in control of her emotions or her body. Deep down she trusted Emma, despite who she was, she knew Emma wouldn't hurt her but something primal inside of her reared up and refused to let Emma come close.
Regina knew she had withdrawn completely, pulling away from all physical contact that wasn't from Henry. And it left her frustrated and angry at herself and furious at her dead husband for inflicting this on her.
And Emma, being the good and wonderful person she was always born to be never asked for more or crossed the line. She didn't try and touch Regina or suggest going back to bed, she just looked at the brunette with sympathy and patiently waited, watching to see what would be the next development in the brunette's twisted life.
Regina went to bed most evenings and sobbed. She had Henry but she was still so very lonely and knew she was emotionally unstable, she was broken. She cried for her lost innocence, her long lost happy ending and herself. She realised that The Queen couldn't save her here. Only Graham and Emma had been to bed with Regina, had seen the real her in any guise and now she was in full retreat but she didn't have the persona of The Queen to fall back on. She had been left behind in the Enchanted Forest, for better or worse that person was gone.
And if she didn't fix this she would lose Emma. And Regina was scared beyond belief to realise she didn't want that. The blonde was worming her way into her life, she had welcomed her as a lover, part of a game, but it had morphed into something so much more. They had shared things, Emma had seen much more of the real Regina than she had ever intended to show and yet Emma hadn't run or pulled away. She stayed, offered comfort, was someone in a very lonely world that Regina could talk to and depend on.
Regina wondered if that was why she felt so conflicted about the woman. Was it a case of being so lonely that someone was better than no-one? No, that didn't sit well with the brunette, it wasn't just loneliness. When they were together Regina felt a connection, that for the first time in a long time she had found someone who listened to her and respected her without fearing her. Emma actually understood her and genuinely cared for her with no ulterior motive.
She got up off the bed and threw on a robe. She wasn't tired, despite it being late, and she wanted something to take the edge off her frustration. Magic was coursing through her veins, mixed with her frustration is made a dangerously strong tension fill her. She went downstairs and poured herself a large glass of whiskey, taking a large gulp before sitting down in an armchair. She had brought the bottle from the cabinet and placed it on the table and sipped thoughtfully from her glass. She needed to find a little calm, the magic pulsed and she sighed knowing there was nowhere for it to go. She drank some more.
She thought fleetingly about her Mother, pushing her into a marriage she hadn't wanted, one she wasn't ready for. She wondered if she had been more worldly, if her mother had allowed her to interact with other children and they had grown together to become teenage friends, would she perhaps have discussed love and sex more, even experimented with kissing and touching. She had read it was normal for children to have questions and to try things, it was just her childhood had been completely abnormal, lonely with a mother who didn't tolerate questions.
She knew she had a relationship with Daniel, but it had been a slow burn, he was respectful and cherished her, they had stolen kisses and were naively waiting until they were married for anything further to progress between them. How she rued that now, but at the time she had loved being wrapped up in his arms, feeling his strength and the gentle kissing being safe in his embrace. She had smiled at the rebellion, Mother would not approve of her choice and not caring, they were happy together both of them showing enough self-restraint so that they both looked forward to the day they could be married so they could consummate their love. It meant she had gone to her marital bed with The King an inexperienced virgin, and rather than a loving and precious experience with Daniel it had been rough. She would go so far as saying it had been a brutal assault on her young and frightened body.
As The Queen she had learned quickly what pleased a man, how to take their pride and joy into her hot mouth and please them, or to ride them forcefully so they spilled their seed, moaning her name and extoling her virtues. She became talented and it hadn't taken long to learn how, yes it was an act, but if she had been more like that with her husband, perhaps the experiences with him might not have been quite so horrific.
As she mused she reached the conclusion no, because when she was The Queen she held the control. She was able to dominate and take what she wanted because of her position. She had replaced The King, her wishes and desires were beyond question. When he had been alive and using her she could never have been an equal of The King, it was always his control and what he wanted. She supposed it was natural to him to dominate and take, even if it had been his wife. She doubted any amount of experience would have helped her, because she was meant to be meek and mild and allow him to do whatever he pleased with her body. She shuddered realising she had then continued that, taking and abusing her position. She hadn't realised it then, but she did now.
Thinking of the vile man led her to clench her hands as a single bolt of magic escaped and cracked loudly. She hadn't meant for that to happen and she took another gulp and emptied the glass, immediately refilling it as she tried to brush off the memory of his wrinkly, old and cold hands against her skin, grabbing at her breasts and squeezing harshly.
She thought of how Emma touched her, with burning need but never making her feel less than worthy. She thought of how much of herself she kept giving, she didn't fake it with Emma, and she knew Emma didn't fake it either. Her magic hummed with the change of her mood, warming her as she thought how she enjoyed pleasing Emma. It quickly turned into a sickening feeling in her stomach and the magic surged and rolled inside her as she acknowledged she felt scared to let the blonde into her space. Every time she felt she wanted to reach out something pulled her back. She wasn't comfortable with physical touch, despite being certain Emma wouldn't take advantage of her.
Thinking back her whole experience with sex was what Dr. Hopper would undoubtedly call "unhealthy". It hadn't ever been about the act of making love so it was hardly surprising she was struggling now. If she faced her greatest fear and acknowledge that she thought that love might be what she had shared with Emma just a handful of times she knew she had no frame of reference as a comparison.
The problem was admitting it might have been making love was almost as bad as confronting the marital rape she had been through. Love was as scary, love was a weakness she didn't have time for. And yet when she thought about love, her magic calmed, soothed by thoughts of Emma.
It was a mess, her heart, her head, her mind and body all seemed to be warring with one another, pulling her in different directions. She needed to find an answer, but she refused to share the details of her past marital relationship with anyone, let alone discussing the sexual side of things with Dr. Hopper. She shuddered despite the room not being cold. She didn't want to open up and share this, it was intensely personal and made her uncomfortable just thinking about discussing it. She was adamant she didn't want to talk to it through with anyone, not even Emma.
Emma was the person she felt most comfortable with but Emma was related to the man who had done these things, Regina couldn't explain it to her even if she had wanted to. Emma wouldn't want to know what her Grandfather had been capable of, would she even believe Regina? Snow would have praised the man, told Emma how wonderful he was. Because as a father he had been kind and generous, it was just as a husband and lover he had failed miserably.
Regina thought of her own Mother. Family ties ran deep. She loved her mother despite knowing she was flawed, would Emma chose family over Regina's version of the past? It was safest not to find out, leave Emma oblivious to the identity of the man that had done this to her.
She drank some more, mulling over what she could do. She needed to find a way to enjoy sex, to be comfortable. Maybe she just needed an extra stimulus, should she invest in some good porn to watch? She didn't think it would help, but she would give it a try. It was doing something and that calmed her a little, she hated being passive and at least making the decision felt like action.
She was beginning to feel the effects of the whiskey, she was a little light headed and her eyelids felt heavy, the edge of her magic had been dulled too. She'd just have another glass and then she'd go back to bed, hopefully she'd be able to get a few hours sleep so she could function the following day.
"Emma, can you come round?"
She strained to hear Henry's voice as he whispered urgently into the phone.
"Why Henry?" Emma whispered back before realising how stupid it was and shaking her head at her own foolish behaviour.
"Mom's drunk, she has fallen asleep downstairs."
"It is really late, I suggest you leave her to it and go to bed."
"She'll be cold downstairs."
"Then get a blanket and tuck her in."
"Emma," Henry was exasperated, "I know you know why she got drunk, I know you know more than you are telling me."
"Sometimes Kid we don't tell you things for your own good. You have to accept that."
"I do, but it doesn't mean I can leave her passed out downstairs. Come round and help me get her into bed."
Emma didn't understand why she got up and shrugged into her leather jacket and pulled on her boots. She really didn't. If Regina wanted to get drunk, and Emma completely understood why she would, then she was entitled. Admittedly with Henry in the house it wasn't a very responsible reaction, but it was late. Henry should have been in bed and asleep hours ago. If Regina needed the alcohol to dull the memories, to keep the dreams away or to help her drift off then Emma wasn't going to lecture her.
Emma wasn't her own Mother, she wasn't the syrupy sweet Snow White. Emma had lived in the real world and recognised that sometimes people needed a crutch to help them get through life's hardships and bad times. If Regina's was drinking, who was Emma to judge her? Emma thought if she had been through the last 4 months like Regina had, a near death experience, losing everything including her son, attempted poisoning and dreams so vivid they gave Nightmare on Elm Street a run for their money she would drink as well. She might well drink every day until everything blurred together and nothing mattered. In Emma's humble opinion Regina was actually showing remarkable self-restraint.
"Why aren't you in bed?" Emma asked and listened to the silence on the other end of the phone.
Eventually Henry spoke, "I'm worried about her."
"Why?"
"She isn't sleeping well, she doesn't smile or laugh anymore, she is getting paler and eating less and I think she is depressed. She only ever perks up when you are here."
"She has had a rough few months, and yes she is understandably down." Emma thought about Regina, she could be losing weight. She might be drinking too much and Emma was more than aware she slept badly, so depression might well be something Regina was struggling with, but Emma knew she couldn't bring up that subject with her. It would only end up with shouting, another argument where Emma would be told to "mind her own business".
"When I googled it…." Henry began.
"Henry, listen to me – you can't use the internet to diagnose people. Your Mom needs love and understanding, not some search engine telling you she is at death's door."
"Just come over, please?" Henry was still so young, sometimes Emma forgot that. He was always trying to do what he thought was best and sometimes his innocent and naïve mind made a bad choice.
"Ok, I'll be round in a minute and we can talk." Emma prayed that she wouldn't need to take Henry back full-time. Regina needed the interaction and distraction Henry offered. He grounded her, Emma hoped she could convince Henry to start sleeping properly and stop spying on his brunette mother. If he continued to stay up late and witness drunken behaviour Emma might be forced to react and she knew no-one would benefit from the decision to separate Regina and Henry again.
Minutes later she pulled her car up to the curb and watched as Henry opened the door. She walked up the path and into the house she knew almost as well as her own.
Having sent Henry to bed because he needed to rest and because he didn't need to see his other mother like this, Emma knelt down next to Regina.
"Hey." Emma reached out a hand and gently placed it on the older woman's arm. Had this been someone else, someone she was taking into custody, Emma would have shaken them hard and been much rougher. She didn't want to do that with Regina, she didn't want to panic the already distressed woman so she used a softer tone of voice and tried to be much more measured and thoughtful while she tried to rouse the older woman.
She rather quickly realised the brunette was well out of it. She wasn't going to be woken easily and if she did wake Emma suspected she would be disorientated and unlike to be much help in walking herself to bed.
Emma lovingly bent down and tucked the brunette woman into her arms, grasping her under her legs and wrapping a strong arm round her shoulders. She tried to keep the robe in place, but it shifted and Emma had her hands touching the bare skin of Regina's thighs and could clearly see the cleavage when she dropped her eyes down to check the brunette was secure against her chest.
Emma knew she could carry the other woman, she was trim and didn't weigh much and as long as Emma took it slowly on the stairs she would be fine. She straightened up, her legs and back bearing the weight easily and she quickly crossed the room and started climbing the stairs. She refused to drop her gaze again, the view was gorgeous, but it was peeping and an invasion of privacy so she avoided it as best she could.
Regina remained quiet and unmoving, her head lolling against Emma's chest. Emma felt her breathing and smelt the alcohol with each exhale and wished she knew what to do to help. Regina getting drunk each night and sleeping on sofas and in armchairs wasn't good for her body and wasn't helping her deal with the trauma. She had closed herself away and Emma hated that, knowing from her personal experience that the feelings would just be festering and remain unresolved.
As Emma put her feet on the upstairs landing Regina flinched awake in Emma's arms, suddenly aware she was being held, restrained. She went completely rigid and her hands pushed at Emma's chest as she began to struggle and a whimper escaped her lips.
"Hey." Emma was able to lower her to the floor of the hallway and she shakily stumbled a few steps, putting distance between them. She put a hand against the wall to steady herself and pulled the robe tightly closed. She closed her eyes as she took a few breaths but Emma noticed the crack of magic that came from her hand before Regina got control of herself and the flicker immediately went out.
"It's only me." Emma stayed still and didn't try and close the distance between them. She aimed for strong yet soothing in her tone, she had no idea if it worked because Regina opened her eyes, but they still looked at her with wide eyed fear which only calmed a little as recognition filtered through the alcoholic haze.
"What were you doing?" It came out strangled, barely concealed and contained fear in the unmistakeable trembling of the words.
"Carrying you to bed, Henry didn't want you to sleep downstairs." Emma kept her hands at her side, she wanted the brunette to know she was in no way a threat.
"I will manage from here Miss Swan." So quiet, lacking the commanding tone, lacking anything that Emma identified with Regina.
"Ok, just let me tell Henry you're in bed and settled." Emma went to walk past Regina and she pretended it didn't upset her when Regina flinched away, flattened herself against the wall so there would be no chance of physical contact.
Emma stopped by Henry's door and opened it, pushing it closed behind her and then listening. She heard Regina move into her room and the click as the door shut.
Henry looked up from his book.
"Hey Kid. She's in bed now. It's time you slept too."
"Ok, but we have come up with a plan to do something to help her."
"Do we? Henry she is an adult, we can't start poking about in her life. She makes her own decisions."
"But she is so sad." Henry looked small in his bed, sadness that he couldn't help his Mom painted his face.
"Well maybe we can work on that." Emma felt bad for the boy, she knew he wasn't a bad kid; he had just inherited his grandmother's inability not to meddle.
"What kind of things did she used to enjoy doing with you before the curse broke?"
Henry thought about it and then looked guiltily away. He wasn't sure what his Mom enjoyed, because everything she had done, had been for him. They had gone to the park and she had either sat in the sun and read or run round after him. They had gone to the docks and watched the fish, the boats, but that had been because he enjoyed it. They ate at Granny's, because he loved their milkshakes and the fact that Ruby always laughed with him and they told jokes and then she'd spoil him with an extra scoop of ice cream. He thought of the festivals and town events, and how she had always bought him the junk food he'd wanted, the cotton candy and hot dogs and the bright lights. And she had laughed with him, but it had all been for him, not for her.
"I don't really know." He said in a small voice. "She was happy when I was happy, but that isn't the same, is it Emma?"
Emma sat on the edge of the bed and pulled him into a rough hug. "Hey, that's what a good parent does. I'm sure she was happy. You made her happy."
"And then I was so horrible to her, it was like I forgot all the good times and good things she had done. I know she did bad things, but not to me. Why does she still want to see me after all the nasty things I said and did to her?" Henry shook his shaggy haired head and looked up to Emma.
Emma knew the answer, a mother's love was the strongest thing and they'd forgive anything. Despite the fact Regina wasn't Henry's real mother, her love for him was true. She wondered if her own mother would also forgive anything. She hoped so as she told Henry, "She loves you. It is that simple."
"But I still don't know where we can go or what to surprise her with." Henry was frustrated and pulled away. "I need to think." He had that determined look and Emma knew he was going to suggest another mission.
"Not tonight." Emma stood. "You need to go to sleep, you can start planning first thing tomorrow. Count me in on anything you want help with."
She walked to the doorway and pulled opened the door, the light from the hallway spilling in. She turned and told Henry, "Goodnight." Before she hit the light switch and the room feel into darkness behind her as she pulled the door closed. Walking down the corridor she stopped and put her hand to the master bedroom door. Everything was silent, but then it would be, there was a silencing spell in place. Emma wanted to open the door and check on the other woman, but knew it was an intrusion. She recognised that Regina's issues were linked to personal space, an invasion of that by Emma even if she was concerned wouldn't be received well, so she brushed her fingers over the door and whispered a goodnight to the brunette before walking away with her head down.
Regina had stood ramrod straight by the bedroom door until she heard the front door close behind the blonde and then she crossed the room on unsteady legs. She felt her eyes fill with water and she collapsed onto the bed. As she sank into the mattress and let her tears fall she wished things were different. She had just upset Emma, she knew it. She had upset herself too, but she was disorientated and it had been instinctive to pull away. Now she sat and could think a little clearer she realised it would have been the perfect opportunity to just bump shoulders casually, to try and work on allowing someone into her space.
And Emma was still trying, but she obviously had no idea what to do to make things right. Regina wished she could tell her, but she wasn't sure what the answer was either. So they both stood by and watched, waiting for the other to make a move. Regina had felt Emma at the bedroom door and her heart had moved up her chest and into her throat. Part of her wanted the blonde to open the door and part of her prayed she'd just go away. She had heard the whispered goodbye and knew Emma had gone and felt disappointment sting at her. It was a lost opportunity, she needed to be brave and grasp the opportunities, needed to find some courage because Emma was understandably standing back waiting for her to make a move.
And she desperately needed to try something. She couldn't stay in this closed off shell forever. Along with courage she needed to find herself because the longer she waited the worse she felt.
But the moment had passed and she was alone, still a little drunk but not enough to fall into an oblivious sleep, so she crawled under the covers, wrapped herself tight and sobbed into her pillow and waited for exhaustion to take her.
They had formulated a simple plan, Emma was testing the waters in the kitchen a few days later.
"Careful Saviour, being seen with me will tarnish your image."
"I don't care about that, when was the last time you even left the house?"
Indignantly Regina responded, "This morning! I go out to tend to the garden every day, have you not seen the transformation from burnt and dead to flourishing and full of colour and life?"
"That doesn't count." Emma said flatly. "I mean out where people might see you, out to see more than the boundary of your property."
"Where are you suggesting?" Regina answered with another question and Emma took a few seconds to breathe deeply and remain calm.
"Maybe the park with Henry, or the docks? Just out into the fresh air, for a walk that is further than the end of your garden."
"And if I agree?"
"I'll buy you a burger and ice cream from Granny's for being a good girl." Emma answered sarcastically.
"I'm not a child Miss Swan."
"No, you are an adult and adults leave the house and socialise." Emma countered.
"Socialise with whom? There hasn't exactly been a queue of people coming to visit me. And the vast majority of the people in this town tried to kill me a few months ago, so you'll forgive me for not wanting to do polite conversation and warm smiles with them!"
"You need to move on, because believe it or not, they all have."
"Only because they know magic here is weak and I have promised not to use it so they feel safe. Plus they respect you and Henry, which is the only reason why they stopped the violence and retribution. They didn't do it for me, they don't respect or want me here. It is easier to stay in my house, away from them and avoiding any potential for conflict."
"You know their feelings for you haven't changed in the last 40 odd years, they hated you back then too, but you still walked tall and didn't give in. What has changed so badly? Why are you hiding away now? Where is your fire and strength?"
"It came from The Queen, and she isn't an appropriate response in this world. And I don't what Henry to see me like that. Regina was much more innocent and naïve and got easily hurt and easily taken in and used and manipulated. She doesn't have much confidence left."
"Talking about yourself in the third person isn't a good sign you know."
"So you're a therapist now are you?" Regina snarked back.
"No, but I will tell you this and I hope you believe it, because it is the truth. Regina is one of the strongest people I know. She has weathered many storms and come out the other side. Yes she has been changed by them, hurt and sometimes badly beaten, but she doesn't give up and I admire her ability to keep going, keep pushing against life. And I'd like to take her out in the sunshine and spend a day with her and maybe remind her that she is a powerful woman with more choices available to her than she thinks. Tell her she is important and has good qualities. She is a loving Mother, a hard and dutiful worker, she is smart and absolutely beautiful."
"You're biased Miss Swan, most people haven't seen me naked or had me kneel between their legs pleasuring them so wouldn't know how beautiful I am or how hard I work."
"Regina, I meant you were a good Mayor and worked well with budgets!" Emma feigned looking horrified.
She continued, "We can add wickedly inappropriate sense of humour to the list of attributes." But she was struggling to keep a straight face, her lips quirking until she was smiling at the other woman, glad to see some life and spirit flowing through her.
After a few seconds of silence Regina grudgingly agreed, "Fine Miss Swan, the three of us can go out together, to the park, a walk by the docks and then a meal out, which you will be paying for. And we will wait for a nice day, I am not going to sit on the dockside when it is blowing a gale and whipping freezing rain into my face and messing up my hair."
"Of course Your Majesty." Emma quipped, nodding slightly into a bow but at the same time she took a step back, away from Regina who looked at her like she might revert back to bodily harm.
"Really Miss Swan, it is like you don't trust me." The brunette smirked and Emma relaxed, she was still struggling to know when Regina was joking and when she really was just pissed off. But her consent and agreement was a good sign and Emma pulled up the weather app on her phone to pick a day for them to all go for a family walk.