Several days and several missed calls later, Emma finally answered her phone.
"What is it, Regina?"
"I just... I wanted to check on you. And the kids. I wanted to know if you were alright, and I just thought... Maybe... Maybe we could talk?"
"I need time away from you right now, and so do the kids. I'm trying to square with what you've done, alright?"
"But what's next? What happens now?"
"I don't know yet. I haven't decided what I'm going to do."
"Don't take them away from me, Em... Please."
"I don't know if they'll be safe around you, Regina, and I honestly can't trust that you'll go back on the meds and be fine. If I can't be sure that they're not going to get hurt, I can't let you see them."
"Emma, please. I've been taking my pills. I'm already feeling-"
"I don't want to hear it. I'm not ready to talk about this, and I'm not ready to see you. Neither is Henry."
"Alright... Will you just... Will you just tell them I love them? Please?"
"I don't know. I'll think about it."
"Emma, come on. Just let them know I-"
"Bye, Regina."
"Emma, wait!"
But her wife had already hung up the phone.
Back in their aunts' spare bedroom, Henry entertained his sister with stories and toys, telling her all about his trucks and the fairytale characters he was so fond of. When Emma checked in on them, Amelia was cooing happily as her brother leaned over the crib Emma had brought over and gently pinched her cheeks. Before he noticed his mother's presence, he began to make silly, exaggerated faces at her, and she giggled with glee as her eyes locked onto his animated face.
When she heard the sound, Emma laughed too, causing Henry to spin around in surprise.
"Mom! Jeez. Don't sneak up on me like that."
"Sorry," she laughed lightly, stepping closer and leaning down to place a kiss on the top of his head. "You're doing great, bud. Thank you for being so strong. Amelia is going to look up to you very much when she gets bigger."
"I'm not strong. I'm just funny."
"You're both, silly boy," Emma teased, ruffling his hair. "It's time for dinner, though. Come on out, alright?"
He nodded and followed her into the kitchen, where his aunts had made a large, three-course meal and set the table for them to eat. They all sat down, expressed their gratitude for being safe, together, and well-fed, then dug into the meal.
A few hours after dinner, as Emma tucked her son into bed (Amelia had fallen asleep quite a while ago), she looked at him, her face showing just how troubled she was.
Henry noticed and said, "What's the matter, Ma?"
"You're getting too big, too fast, but you're growing into such a wonderful man. And I want you to know that I'm not disappointed about your grades. I want you to try harder, and to ask for help when you need it, but I'm not upset with you."
"Why not?"
"Because it's a learning process. You have to do poorly before you can do your best."
"Is that true?"
"I believe it is."
"I got an A on my last test in algebra..."
"That's great, buddy! That's awesome!"
They high-fived, earning a wide smile from Henry, before Emma leaned in to kiss the boy's forehead.
As soon as he was tucked in and his mother had shut out the light, he called after her, "Mom!"
When Emma turned around, seeing that he looked just as troubled as she had a few moments before, she walked back over and sat down beside him on the bed.
"What's up, kiddo?"
"When can we see Mom again?"
"Oh, Henry," Emma sighed, pushing a hand through her hair. "I really don't know yet. I'm working on it. I just... want to keep you safe."
"I know, but... Mom loves us, right?"
"Of course she does, baby. She always has and always will."
"Then how come she did that?"
"Well... Honey... Your mom's been taking medicine for the illness she got when she had Mia. It helped for a long time - I think you noticed that - but she thought she was better, so she stopped taking it. It's not excuse for what she did, but when she went off the medication, she lost control of her emotions and her behavior. It wasn't your fault."
"Will she get better again?"
"I don't know. I guess that depends on your mom and what she decides to do next."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if she takes the pills again, and keeps taking them, she might get back to the way she was before."
"But how long will that take?"
"I don't know, buddy. I really don't know. All I know is that she loves you, and she wants to get better. I just don't know if she will."
