Two updates in one day?! What is going on with me today? But I guess it makes up for not posting yesterday ;)
I hope you guys like it!
"Emma Swan, sixteen. Passed out in an interrogation room. The cause is currently unknown", a doctor said as he and two other doctors, together with Regina by her side, ran inside with the girl in the bed, several doctors running towards them when they discovered them.
"I guess you're the mother", another doctor said and Regina turned to him and nodded, tears running down her cheeks.
"Alright. Why don't you let go of the bed, and me and my colleagues will take a look at your daughter", the man said but Regina held her hand firmly on the bed, only tightening her grip.
"Come on Gina, let them look at her", Zelena said taking her sisters hand. The woman softened and let go of the bed, letting the doctors take Emma away.
"Alright let's go people", the doctors said, and together the doctors ran further inside, leaving the two sisters alone, the oldest comforting the youngest. After a couple of minutes the doors to the hospital opened and the two sisters looked up to see their mother along with the two boys walking fast inside. Cora noticed her daughters at the end of the bug room and turned to her grandchildren. Regina stood from her seat and ran to her children.
"Dustin!", she called out and Dustin turned to the sound of his mothers voice.
"Mommy?"
Regina got down on her knees and brought her youngest son into her arms, holding him tight, while Zelena walked over to their mother and hugged her tight. Regina pulled back and turned to see her oldest standing beside her. She brought her arm around him as well forcing him to get down on his knees as well.
"Have you heard anything?", Cora asked her oldest, but said oldest shook her head, tears in her own eyes. Cora sighed and brought her arms around her hugging her tight.
"God help us all"
The family sat down, Regina holding onto her youngest for dear life, while Zelena sat and talked quietly with Henry. They sat for what seemed like hours until the doors opened and the doctor who brought them in with the ambulance walked in. Regina immediately stood from her seat, giving her son to her mother before walking over.
"How is she?", she asked and the doctors smile faded.
"She's currently stable, but something's inside your daughter that we can't quite put a finger on yet, but we are doing everything we can", he said and Regina nodded looking down.
"Are we allowed to visit her?", Zelena asked standing beside her sister, but the doctor shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but we are still checking her. I'm going back in as soon as I have been out here", he said and Zelena nodded bringing her arms around her sister.
"Thank you doctor"
Said doctor nodded and smiled sadly at them before walking back inside. Regina broke down in her sisters arms and Zelena held her tight as she cried out her pain. Inside, she was feeling the pain just as much as her sister did, but she had to be the strong one for the two of them. For her sister.
Two hours passed and still no further news from the doctors. The family still sat in the waiting room, but it was clear that Dustin was getting hungry.
"Mommy I'm hungwy", the boy said obviously growing tired as well by the lack of speaking. Regina sighed and took her son from her mothers lap and into her arms.
"Me too honey. Henry why don't you come with us and get something to eat?", she asked and Henry nodded and stood from his seat beside his aunt. The little family walked over to the cafeteria leaving Cora and Zelena alone.
"Do they know?", Cora asked and Zelena furrowed her eyebrows.
"Who knows what?"
"The boys? Do they know about Regina and Emma?", she asked and Zelena softened for a moment as she looked at her sister and her boys. She sighed and looked down.
"I don't think so", she said and Cora nodded and turned to her daughter. It was obvious her daughter was suffering and that she was trying to hide it by being strong for her younger sister. The mother sighed and stood from her seat and walked over to her daughter sitting down beside her. She brought her arms around her and held her tight. After a couple of seconds, she heard small sobs coming from the woman and she smiled at her daughters strength to let it go.
Another hour passed and still nothing. The family was getting more and more worried. They hadn't heard anything since the first message and they didn't know what to do. What if this was something serious? Dustin was now sitting in his mothers arms sleeping peacefully against her chest, while Henry sat beside them, Zelena and Cora talking quietly.
"I'm sorry", Henry suddenly whispered and Regina turned to him with furrowed eyebrows.
"What? Why are you apologizing sweetheart?", she asked putting her hand on top of his. Henry let a tear fall and turned to her.
"For being an idiot the last few months", he said and Regina sighed and brought her hand to his head, making him lean over, and kissed his head.
"It's alright sweetheart. As long as we are alright now", she said and Henry nodded.
"She's alright, you know?", he said and Regina turned to him.
"Who?"
"Emma. She's kinda cool", he said and Regina couldn't help but smile a little.
"That's great to hear Henry"
"Yeah"
Regina smiled at her son and kissed his head once more before pulling back.
"It may not be important now, but may I know why you didn't like her so much?", she asked quietly and for the first time that night, Henry actually hesitated. He didn't want his mother to be angry at him.
"Henry?"
The boy in question turned to his mother with tears in eyes.
"I know", he whispered and Regina furrowed her eyebrows at him.
"Know what sweetheart?"
"About you and Emma", he whispered and Regina felt a lump in her throat. She turned to look at her youngest, but Henry stopped her thoughts.
"Don't worry. He doesn't know anything", he whispered looking down at his fingers. Regina took a deep breath looking up for a moment before turning to her oldest son.
"How long have you known?"
"Since the second day she lived with us", he whispered and Regina widened her eyes at her son, mouth agape.
"How?"
"I saw you guys kiss in the living room, the day I apologized to you", he said and Regina remembered. Emma had kissed her on the couch when Daniel was upstairs talking to Henry about his behavior. But before she could say anything, the doors bursted open and Rex, Jane, Maura and Ruby ran inside. If she wasn't holding Dustin, Regina would have stood and ran to her brother. She could instantly feel how much she needed him. And like reading her thoughts, Zelena stood from her seat and ran to him instead. Rex brought his arms around his oldest sister hugging her tight.
"She just laid so still, Rex. Her eyes, they-they were—"
"I know. I know... Ruby told me", Rex interrupted his clearly broken sister. He couldn't imagine how Regina must feel. Said woman felt Dustin being moved away, and automatically tightened her grip on him, until she heard her mothers voice.
"It's just me sweetheart. Go over to him", she said and Regina let her son go and stood from her seat. She walked over to her siblings, who turned to her and Regina automatically walked into the embrace of her siblings, said siblings bringing their arms around her. After minute they pulled back and Rex looked down at his youngest sister.
"Have you heard anything?"
Regina shook her head, her body still pressed up against her brothers.
"Only that she's stable, but that was three hours ago"
Rex sighed and brought his arms around his youngest sister.
"She's going to be okay. I can feel it", he said and Regina sighed.
"How do you know that?"
"Because she's a Mills", he said and Regina couldn't stop the smile forming on her face. They all sat down, Jane calling Angela to inform her about the situation. Ruby and Maura sat and talked with Zelena, Cora and Rex sitting and talking as well, Dustin sitting on his grandmothers lap, while Regina sat with Henry. They all sat in comfortable silence for a few moment before they all heard a tiny voice.
"Granny, who's that?", Dustin quietly asked and everybody turned to see the small boy pointing at Maura.
"She's one of uncle Rex' friends. Her name is Maura. Would you like to say hi?", she asked and Dustin blushed hard before burying his face in his grandmothers chest. Cora chuckled and Maura couldn't help but smile as well. Regina simply sat and smirked at her son as he blushed while he not so subtly looked at Maura.
"It seems that you son is having his first crush", Zelena said and Regina chuckled and turned to her sister.
"Yeah. I guess he is", she said and looked over at Maura who looked back at her. She nodded and Maura smiled before standing from her seat and walking over to Cora, squatting down in front of the boy.
"Hello there", she said and Dustin blushed, possibly harder than Regina had ever seen him, and buried himself further into his grandmother.
"My name is Maura, what is yours?"
"Dustin", a small voice said and Maura smiled wide at the boy.
"Dustin. What a lovely name. I was wondering. I was on my way over to the cafeteria to get something to drink, do you want to go with me?", she asked and the boy slowly started to relax and move forward. He looked up at his mother hopefully and received a smile and a nod in return.
"Can I get a water?", he asked the redhead and said redhead smiled and nodded.
"Of course", she said and Dustin smiled wide and Cora sat him down onto the floor. He instantly grabbed the woman's hand into his own small one and began to practically drag her over to the cafeteria.
"He's going to be a real charming when he grows up", Jane said walking over to them as she looked at her best friend and nephew walking away. She sat down in between Regina and Rex and Regina smiled at her.
"How are you doing?", Jane asked and Regina looked at her.
"I'm fine. I'm just worried", she said and Jane sighed and nodded. She brought her arm over Regina's shoulder brought her closer. The older brunette laid down on her shoulder and instantly relaxed. She understood why Rex liked her so much.
16 Years Ago
Zelena and Glinda was sitting in the dining room feeding the foster children. It was a warm night, in the middle of spring and they were all smiling as they ate in silence.
"Not so big bites August, you'll choke", Glinda said gently as she sat with August who was no more than a year old, while Zelena sat and fed Emma carefully.
"Like that will stop him. He's a wild animal", the oldest kid in the foster home said and Zelena turned to her with a smile.
"That he is"
"Can I be excused? I got homework to do", the girl said and Zelena smiled and nodded.
"Of course. Remember to take your plate to the kitchen"
The girl nodded and smiled as she stood from her seat and took her plate to the kitchen.
"Alright, I think that's enough little friend. You're eating so much today", Zelena said to Emma who couldn't stop eating her dinner. She was absolutely full.
"She's definitely an eater", Glinda said chuckling and Zelena chuckled along.
"Indeed"
She looked at her watch and sighed before standing.
"Alright everybody. It's' time to retrieve to your rooms. Remember, the lights are turned off at ten. Not a minute longer", Zelena said and all the children nodded before standing from their seats each with their plates and glasses in their hand before walking out of the room towards the kitchen, Emma jumping in her seat as she watched the other children walk. Glinda took the plates and glasses from the smaller children and walked over to Zelena.
"I'll take the dishes. You can take the small ones and put them to bed", she said and Zelena turned to her and looked down at her smiling.
"Of course", she said and smiled at her. They shared eye contact for a moment. Glinda slowly leaned in, but was interrupted as they all heard a glass break. She pulled back and looked down, blushing slightly, Zelena equally blushing.
"I should...", she trailed off as she slowly back away over to the kitchen only to let her hip hit a small table and Zelena smiled and chuckled at the woman's clumsiness. She turned to see Emma looking up at her with curious eyes.
"Don't look at me like that", she said and took Emma into her arms. She walked over to the small nursery and laid Emma down onto the small table and changed her into her pajamas before putting her down in her crib, the girl's blanket hanging on the cribs side.
"Good night sweetheart", she said and caressed the girls hand gently. After a few seconds, the girl was out like a light and Zelena couldn't stop herself from leaning down and kissing her on her temple. Did the same with the other small children and soon she walked inside the kitchen and Glinda with the rest of the dishes. After they were finished they both walked upstairs to their own room. The foster home wasn't very big, so the workers had to share room. They walked inside the room and Zelena instantly laid down in her own bed.
"Hard day?", Glinda asked chuckling and Zelena nodded.
"Just long. Emma is a wild child when she want's to be", she said and Glinda chuckled and walked over to the bed sitting down beside her colleague.
"I understand. I had the same problem with Dorothy when she was that age. Zelena smiled and sat up looking at the blonde.
"She's growing up", Glinda said Zelena gave her small smile.
"That she is", she said and Glinda turned to her with a smile.
"She's been here since was four, Zelena. She's almost fifteen. How long will it take before someone is going to see the love and life she has inside her", she asked, obviously sad for the girl.
"Someone already has", Zelena said smiling at her and Glinda furrowed her eyebrows.
"Who?"
"You. Me. All of the kids here. They all love her", she said and Glinda smiled a true smile at her. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Zelena. Decided to break it.
"Have you considered it? Adopting her yourself?"
Glinda turned to the woman with furrowed eyebrows. She hadn't considered it at all.
"You know it's against our policy", she said and Zelena sighed and nodded.
"I know that. But you love her. And she loves you. She already sees you like a mother. I think you should do it. For her. And for yourself as well. You can quickly find another job. It's alright", she said and Glinda looked down at her hands.
"I need time to think about it", she whispered and Zelena nodded before taking putting her own hand on top of the other woman's.
"It's alright. Use as much time as you need", she said and Glinda smiled at her. They shard eye contact once more and before Zelena could do it herself, the blonde leaned in and connected their lips.
Present Time
Zelena sat in such deep thought, that she didn't even notice Ruby sitting down beside her.
"Zelena?"
The redhead shook her head and turned to see her brothers partner smiling at her. She looked down and saw the coffee in her hand and smiled at the brunette as she accepted it.
"Thank you"
"You seemed pretty deep in thought there", she said and Zelena looked at the young brunette.
"Yes well, a lot is going on in my mind these days", she said and Ruby looked at her with curious eyes.
"Such as?", she asked leaning back in her seat, looking at the redhead. Zelena eyed the brunette. She considered telling the girl back off, but she knew she needed to come out with her feelings somehow.
"I was just thinking about my time in the foster home, when Emma was there", she said and that seemed to wake the young brunette's interest.
"Tell me about it", she said and Zelena smiled at her.
"Well, Emma was a wild child. She was very shy when she first got there. She was the new girl and she had to get to know everybody. But eventually she felt at home and she was quickly becoming a favorite for many of the older children", she said and Ruby smiled at the thought.
"I could imagine. I mean who wouldn't love a little baby Emma", she said grinning and Zelena couldn't help but grin herself.
"True. She was a very beautiful girl", she said and Ruby smiled.
"She still is", the redhead said again. And Ruby smiled wider.
"You love her", she stated and Zelena turned to her with furrowed eyebrows but softened after she saw the brunette's face. She was not going to convince her otherwise.
"Of course I love her. I have taken care of her since she was a newborn. I lost her when she was thirteen. Now I have her back in my life, and I'm not about to lose her again", she said and Ruby could see the truth in the woman's words.
"Of course"
They sat in a couple of seconds in silence until Ruby broke it once again.
"Which foster home did you work at?", she asked and Zelena turned to her.
"The one here in Manhattan. It wasn't very popular, but it was good. We were like a little family. Why?"
"Oh, it's just, my girlfriend was also in the foster system. She was also living in the one here in Manhattan"
Zelena looked at the brunette for a moment.
"How old are you? Twenty five?", she asked and Ruby chuckled looking down.
"I'm twenty nine, but thank you for the compliment"
Zelena chuckled and smiled.
"You're welcome. But your girlfriend. What is her name?", she asked and Ruby smiled at her.
"Dorothy Gale"
Zelena widened her eyes at the name. She did not see that coming.
"What?", Ruby asked as she saw the woman's reaction.
"You're dating Dorothy Gale? As in Glinda Gale?", Zelena asked feeling tears threatening in her eyes.
"Yes. That's her mother. Why?", the brunette asked and Zelena looked down, actually in shock.
"I didn't think they would still live here", she said mostly to herself as she thought back to her love at the time, and Ruby looked at her with worried eyes. But before she could say anything the doors opened and a doctor walked outside. Zelena instantly stood along with Regina and Rex, all three siblings walking towards the doctor.
"How is she?"
"Any news?"
"What's going on?"
All three siblings asked at the doctor raised his hand, trying to calm the siblings down.
"Children, please give the man some space", Cora said from her seat and all three children took a step back from the doctor, their hands behind their backs. All the others looked at the three siblings with eyes full of wonder. It was obvious that they where very disciplined. Even the doctor could see it.
"Thank you", he said looking at Cora and Cora smiled back. The doctor noticed that a lot more people had come since he last was out there. But then again. It had been almost four hours.
"Alright. Miss Swan is currently stable. We have made her go through a few test—"
"A few?! We've been waiting for four hours!", Zelena yelled and Regina had to put her arm on her shoulder in order to stop her.
"Zelena!", Cora hissed at her oldest. They were all surprised by the redheads outburst.
"I'm sorry", she said looking down. The doctor though, smiled apologetic at her.
"I understand your frustration. It did take a long time, but there were just so many tests that needed to be done"
Zelena nodded letting the doctor continue.
"But once we were done, we were able to conclude that she's suffering from Cardiac Tamponade"
"What the hell is that?", Regina now asked anger in her voice and Cora sat with her face in her hands, shaking her head.
"It's a very serious heart disease. Which means her blood fills the space between the sac that encases her heart and her heart muscle. Cardiac tamponade is usually the result of penetration of the pericardium, which is the thin, double-walled sac that surrounds her heart"
"English please", Rex says in frustration and Cora groans once more. But she somehow can't stay angry at them. Their current situation and actions reminds her too much of her love and husband Henry Sr. They were all clearly his children all of them, even if Regina was only theirs, biologically.
"Right. To make the story short, the disease gives too much pressure on Emma's heart. You're lucky you came in with her now. If you had waited another couple of days, maybe a week tops, she wouldn't have survived", the doctor said and all three siblings sighed in relief. They all turned to each other and moved into a group hug once again.
"You will be able to visit her in a few minutes. We are just sending her into a room. I will call you in when she's ready to have visitors", he said and Regina thanked him before he walked inside again.
"She's okay", Rex whispered and his two sisters nodded letting their tears fall.
"She's okay", Regina repeated crying in her siblings arms.
After what seemed like hours, the doctor came out and let the family visit Emma.
"Alright family Mills. Emma is ready to get visitors. But I must inform you that she's not awake yet. I can not tell when she will wake, but I hope it's soon", he said and Regina nodded as she turned to Rex who nodded. They all stood and walked into Emma's room. Regina broke down as she saw her daughter and girlfriend in the bed, all the machines hooked to her body. And the moment Zelena saw her, she turned around and pushed her mother back who held Dustin in her arms. She gently shook her head and Cora understood her daughters message.
"Henry, why don't you and I and Dustin go home? It's late and you both need your sleep", Cora said turning to her eldest grandchild. Henry turned to look at Emma and he couldn't help but wish to take the pain away from his sister. But it scared him to death to see her like that, so he nodded and walked over to his mother hugging her tight.
"I'll see you tomorrow sweetheart", Regina said sobbing and Henry nodded and received a kiss to his head. Regina turned to her mother and kissed her youngest son's head.
"I'll see you tomorrow munchkin"
Cora smiled at her daughter and kissed her cheek before walking out of the hospital with the two boys. Regina turned to already see Rex standing by the bed looking down at Emma, Jane standing beside him.
"She's okay babe. She's alright", Jane whispered to him and Rex nodded as he let his tears fall. Regina walked over to the other side of the bed and looked down at her currently sleeping daughter.
One minute everything was okay and the next, she's gone
