Chapter 37

The next morning, Ruby went to see Regina. She knocked on her hospital door and waited for Regina to let her in. "Ruby, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check on you. I came up here a couple of times," she replied. Regina smiled appreciatively.

"Thank you Ruby," she replied. She watched as Ruby fidgeted. "Is there something else dear?"

"Yes. Actually I would like to talk about Derrick with you. Is there anything else between you two?"

"Why?" Regina asked narrowing her eyes. "Do you wish to be with him?"

"Yes but only-

"Nothing is going on with us anymore. However, Derrick and Brittany are very important to me. Please don't push him if he's not ready. And Brittany is a special girl. I love her very much like she was my own. I'm sure you care about her but are you willing to be something more if your relationship develops?"

"I can," Ruby said. She saw Regina smile. "What?"

"I hope you can make him happy. He's been through so much because of me. I don't want him hurt anymore. I trust that he will be loved the way he deserves," she said firmly.

Ruby stepped forward. "If something happens, I'll do my best to make him happy."

Regina nodded her head. "Don't break his heart," she warned.

They were interrupted when David walked in. "Ruby," he said surprised. She said hello back and excused herself. David turned to Regina and silently asked why she was in Regina's room.

"She likes Derrick," she explained. "She wanted to know if she had a shot basically." David sat on the edge of her bed.

"Ruby and Derrick. I can see it," he said wistfully.

She snorted. "I'm sure you can since that means there's no competition for you."

He laughed softly. "Anyway, ready to go home."

"Yes, I should be getting my discharge papers soon," Regina said. "I just want to sleep in my own bed."

He cupped her cheek. "That makes two of us. I've missed you and now we have the chance of getting our lives back on track."

"True. I feel this is right. What we have is something I never thought I'd have again. It seemed so impossible to reach after Daniel and now, I can fully appreciate being loved again. So thank you for not giving up on me," Regina said.

"Never. One thing you can count on is me never giving up," David said.

That afternoon, David took Regina home and surprised her with a welcome home party. She turned to him. "What is this?"

"It was Henry's idea," he said motioning toward his grandson. Henry walked up to Regina and hugged her. She hugged him back tightly as tears sprang in her eyes.

"Mom, I can't breathe," Henry said. She let him go chuckling. "I guess you like it," Henry continued.

"I love it," she said. He grabbed her hand and guided her into the living room where she saw Archie, Snow, and Emma. To her surprise, Derrick and Brittany were there. She smiled at them warmly. "Thanks for coming. I was not expecting this."

"Welcome home Regina," Snow said approaching her and hugging her. "You scared us for a while but I think on behalf of all of us, we are so glad to have you back."

"Really?" she asked quietly.

Snow nodded her head yes. "I mean it," she answered. "I don't think I could handle it if something happened." Regina nodded her head in understanding.

The party lasted only an hour and Regina was in bed finally. She laid against the pillows staring up at the ceiling. She didn't hear David walk in. "Hey, are you alright?" he asked.

She turned to him. "I'm fine. It feels so good to be home. Nearly two weeks ago, I almost died. I was so close to losing my life. I didn't even get to say goodbye."

He laid next to her. "But you didn't and you're going to live for a very long time. I'll make sure of it," he said.

She laid her head on his chest. "I love you more than you'll ever know."