Chapter 2
"Emma." Regina said, taking in the woman before her. "You grew up."
Emma gave a small smile. "Seven years will do that." She took in Regina's shorter hair and no-nonsense business suite. "You still look beautiful." Emma said before thinking and then blushed. "Sorry, I mean come in." She said, standing back.
"Thank you." Regina said, stepping in. "So do you."
Emma scoffed. "I look a mess."
Regina sighed and pulled Emma into a hug. She could feel the blonde stiffen and then relax and wrap her arms around Regina. Then, Regina's heart broke as she felt Emma shake against her, sobs overtaking the blonde. She rubbed Emma's back and held her tighter, wanting to just let her cry. "It's okay." Regina whispered. "Let it out. I've got you." Regina slid her shoes off and then led the way to the living room, never letting go of the blonde, and sat on the sofa with Emma in her arms. She wished she had the right words or actions, but she knew she didn't.
Emma felt ridiculous as she sobbed into Regina's chest. After seven years, the first thing she does is start crying to her. "I'm sorry…" Emma let out, but Regina was not letting go, and that made Emma feel better for a moment. "Regina, I'm getting snot and tears on your shirt. Let me just get a tissue."
Regina chuckled and Emma couldn't help but smile at the sound. Regina pulled back and cupped Emma's face, wiping her tears with her thumb. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Your world turned upside down with one phone call, Emma, and you are allowed to let out your emotions."
"Yeah but…I'm acting like an idiot. She hasn't even done anything other than get out early and I'm acting like my world has come to an end."
"Of course you are. I wouldn't expect anything different. She tried to kill you. She abused you when you were her foster daughter and then kidnapped you when you felt safe and almost killed you. Emma, your reaction is perfectly expected. It's not just you anymore, honey, it's your daughter too."
Emma reached over and grabbed a tissue to wipe her eyes and her nose. She then looked at Regina's shirt and sighed. "I'm so sorry. I ruined your shirt."
Regina waved off her apology. "Nothing a good wash can't fix." She watched Emma, unable to take her eyes away from the blonde. Though she was going through something, she still had a natural beauty that Regina could not deny. Sure, she was twenty-three now, but she could still see that fifteen-year-old girl that she had been in love with so long ago. Her features were a bit sharper with age, but it made her even more beautiful. Regina suddenly found herself missing out on so much in the last seven years.
"You're staring." Emma said, wiping at her eyes. "Do I look that horrible?"
"Gods no, Emma. I'm sorry I'm staring but you just…you're so beautiful." Regina blushed and looked down. "I…Emma, I'm so sorry for what I did."
"Regina, we've talked about that. It was eight years ago, and we were still kids. I forgave you a long time ago." Emma took Regina's hand. "Thank you for being here for me. I feel terrible because we lost touch and one thing happens and I call you, but I didn't know who else to call. I…I mean my moms were here but I…" Emma blushed and looked down. "As soon as Zelena said she had talked to you, all I could think about was you."
Regina reached over and laced her fingers with Emma's. "You don't have to thank me, Emma. I am confident that if rolls were reversed, you'd be here for me."
"In a heartbeat." Emma admitted. Now she looked at Regina, really looked at her. Other than the scar above her lip, Regina still looked flawless. Emma always loved that scar, would stroke and kiss it. She was older, but still looked younger than her twenty-four years, which Emma wondered if that gave her issues or not. Her hair was shorter, but it looked good on her and her body…damn, her body was even more smoking hot than before.
"You're the one staring now." Regina said with a grin.
"Sorry." Emma said, looking down with a blush.
Regina lifted Emma's chin. "Stop saying you're sorry." She let her hand linger on Emma's chin for a moment before dropping it. "I'm surprised your moms aren't here. Or my sister for that matter. Did they all leave because I was coming?" Regina wouldn't blame Amanda or Olivia if they hated her after what she did.
"No, not at all. They were glad you were coming over. Moms just went home to make sure my old room was ready. Chloe and I are going to stay there for a while, so I feel safer. Zelena is napping in Chloe's room." Emma looked down. "She…she offered for me and Chloe to go back to California with her. I have to admit, it's very tempting. I wouldn't feel like I had to watch my back or worry about my baby. My moms even said they'd come since Preston wants to go to UCLA"
Regina swallowed, understanding what Emma was saying and why she'd want to do that. "What's stopping you?"
Emma looked at Regina and then down at her hands, her heart pounding. "I…" Should she tell the truth? Was it too much? Too soon? "I don't know." She said, chickening out.
"Is it David and Mary and your siblings?" Regina pried.
"Not really. I mean, they'd be sad, but I really think they'd understand."
"I'm sure they would." Regina said biting at her lip. She didn't want to seem arrogant, but she couldn't help but think she was the reason and she didn't know how to feel about that. She wanted Emma to feel safe and happy, of course she wanted that. However, seeing her again made all those old feelings come back and she really wanted to explore that…if Emma was willing, of course. "Emma, I know I don't have the right to ask this, but please be honest with me."
Emma swallowed and looked at Regina, all her old feelings stirring inside her. "You." She admitted and looked back down. "I know that's crazy and I know I haven't shown you any signs in the last seven years that I still…but I do. Regina I can't stop having feelings for you and seeing you now just makes those feelings stronger. I know it's crazy and stupid and I don't mean to put this on you…and my emotions are all over but it's true. If I even thought we stood a chance, just a sliver of a chance, I'd stay and not go."
"Even if you'd feel and maybe even be safer in California?"
Emma nodded, still not looking at Regina. "Even then. I guess I'd just have to work from home and make Chloe do online schooling and I'd shop online and never leave the house. I'd probably chain Chloe up to her bed too, but at least I'd have a chance to be with you." Emma gave a small smile to show she was only partly joking. Regina wiped at her eyes, not sure how to answer, but before she could, Emma scoffed. "I'm sorry. I'm putting this on you within the first hour of you being here and us seeing each other after seven years. Gods, what the fuck is wrong with me? I'm so sorry."
"Emma." Regina said, giving her hand a squeeze. "There's nothing wrong with you. I hesitated because I don't know how to answer you. I want to be honest and tell you that you have every damn chance in the world and that I can't believe I have a second chance. I want to tell you that I will take you out tonight, that we can start dating right away, that I will keep you safe…and all that is true…"
"But?"
"But, that's selfish." Regina admitted, tears in her eyes. She never thought she'd have another chance with Emma, a chance to right her wrongs from years ago. She never imagined she'd have a possibility to be with the first and, so far, only love of her life. However, she wanted Emma and Chloe to be safe and happy and carefree. "You deserve to be happy, to feel safe, to know your baby girl is safe. I can do all that I can here, but let's be honest, you'd be safer in California. You'd feel freer and I…I can't go there, Emma. I'm under contract with the AD for another two years and…I could never ask you to trust me again in a long-distance relationship, no matter how much I know I wouldn't do that again. I couldn't do that to you. I want so badly to be selfish and convince you to stay, but I honestly think the right thing to do is convince you to go."
Emma swallowed the lump in her throat as she tried to process all the information she just got from Regina. She still wanted her, she still loved her – or at least had feelings for her. She wanted Emma to stay. "I may feel safer and freer there, but I'd never be happier. Especially now after hearing you say that." Green eyes looked into brown ones. "Tell me honestly, Regina, do we stand a chance? I know it's been seven years, and I know we have to get to know each other again…but do you want that? I mean, I never reached out to you, but you also didn't reach out to me. Is it just because this is an emotional situation or…"
"No. Emma, it's not that. You're right, I never did reach out to you but there was a reason for that. You asked me not to. I fucked up, I ruined us and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you even more by not respecting your wishes. Ask Zelena, ask my mother, I've cried so much over what I did to you and how I hurt you and how much I regretted it. I tried dating, but no one was you, no one made me feel like you did, before I fucked it up. Emma, you have no idea how many emails I've deleted before sending, how many times I almost called you, hell, how many times my sister had to take my phone away because I was drunk and wanted you. I just couldn't do that to you after the hurt I caused you. If I…fuck if I'd have known you still had feelings for me, I'd have done everything within my power to be back with you. You're right, we do have to get to know each other again, but Emma, I want that if you do." Regina sighed. "But…"
"Gina, no more buts." Emma said, wiping her eyes.
"Yes, one more. But I want you to still consider going with Zelena to California. Like I said, my contract is up in two years and then I can move there. I can be a lawyer or even an ADA anywhere, and two years really isn't that long." Although Regina knew it would feel like forever, she also knew how fast it could go. "I'll stay with you as long as you want me to today, but I want you to really think about Zelena's offer."
"Wait…you can't just say all those things and then say we can't date." Emma said, feeling low again.
"I didn't say that. I just said not tonight. Tonight, you need your family and you're exhausted already. I want you to really think about everything and make sure you're not just saying you want this because of your emotions and the feelings from seeing me again. The very last thing I want to do is take advantage, and I'd feel like I'm doing exactly that if I don't give you time to actually think. Talk about it with your moms and Zelena if you want to. Then, if you decide you do want to give me a second chance, call me or text me and I'll set up our first date."
Emma thought about it and gave a nod. It made sense as her mind was honestly such a mess right now. "I'm so tired." She admitted and leaned over to rest on Regina who wrapped her arm around her.
"Then hand me the remote and let me watch TV while you rest." Regina said with a chuckle.
"Don't you have to work?" Emma asked, handing Regina the remote and cuddled into her more, pulling the blanket off the back of the sofa.
"Not unless there's an emergency. I told my secretary that I'm taking a personal day." Regina said, making herself more comfortable. "Now you sleep. I'm assuming Chloe is in school until about 3?"
"Yeah, but Zelena said she'd get her. Chloe was excited that her Auntie Zee would be there." Emma said as her eyes closed. "I have my alarm set for 2:45 from when I was going to nap earlier, but I probably won't sleep that long."
"That's only two hours, Ems. If you need to sleep that long, sleep it." Regina said, trying to hide the growling of her stomach.
Emma chuckled. "There's soup on the stove. Once I'm asleep, go help yourself. My ma made it before they left."
After about a half an hour, Emma was out cold. Regina didn't want to move, but her stomach was empty, and her bladder was full, so she carefully got up and went to find the bathroom. Once done in there, she went to get some soup but stopped at the shelves along the wall. Pictures of Chloe and Emma through the years flooded the shelves, making Regina smile sadly. She missed so much of both their lives and she could never get it back. Sure, she'd seen Chloe's first steps and heard her first words, but she missed so much more. Potty training, pre-school, her first haircut, first day of school, she missed it all and it saddened her that Emma had to do it on her own. Sure, she had her family, but Regina had promised to be there for her, and she wasn't. Regina sniffed and then chuckled as she picked up a picture of Chloe with Zelena, both making funny faces.
"She's adorable, isn't she?" Zelena asked quietly, trying not to scare her sister. "Let me tell you, she's exactly how I imagined Emma to be at her age."
Regina nodded and put the picture back. "I'm glad they've had you, Zee." She said, wiping at her tears. "I really fucked up such a good thing."
Zelena turned and pulled Regina into a tight hug. "You did, but it's not too late. Regina, that woman still loves you and I know you love her. Just fricken go for it. Stop pussyfooting around and be the Regina Mills I know you can be."
Regina chuckled a bit. "It may have been easier if you wouldn't have offered them to go to California."
"Come on. Let's get some of Amanda's amazing soup and talk about this."
The two warmed up some soup, keeping enough for Emma and sat at the breakfast bar. Regina told Zelena about their conversation and sighed when she finished. "She should go with you. She needs to be safe and I can go there in two more years."
Zelena sighed. "You're right. She would be safer with me, but she'd be happier with you. Can I be honest? I know Emma's terrified and we can only imagine what's going through her head, but do you think this Jane would really come after Emma? I'm not at all trying to downplay her fears. Her feelings are valid and real; I'm just curious if you think Jane would do anything."
Regina sipped at her coffee, thinking about that. "Well, I don't know her, Zee, but I did read her file as soon as I heard what happened. She hates Emma; always has. She blames Emma for her being in jail. I honestly cannot understand how she got parole because she has admitted she still blamed Emma for everything. It honestly makes no sense to me. So, to answer your question, if I were Emma, I'd be just as scared as she is. I am scared for her, Zee, I'm scared for Chloe and I'm mad that there's nothing I can do." Regina sighed. "I should have told her we didn't have a chance just so she'd go to California with you."
Zelena reached and took Regina's hand. "That would have only added heartbreak for both of you."
"Yes, but she'd be safe."
"But I'd be sad." Emma said from the doorway. "Really sad and depressed and heartbroken and Zelena would have to deal with me again and she doesn't want that." Emma sat down next to Regina. "I'm honestly giving it thought, Regina, I promise. I'm so touched and glad you were honest with me, so thank you for that."
"Of course. I promise I will never lie to you again, Emma. I'll never do to you what I did before."
Emma sighed and turned to face Regina. "Gina, you need to stop beating yourself up for something you did when you were nineteen. Something I've already forgiven you for. If we are going to move forward and try this again, the past has to be the past. I've forgiven you; you need to forgive you."
"God you guys are still disgustingly sweet." Zelena said as she got up and took both her and Regina's bowl to the sink. "Emma, I'm warming up the rest of the soup and then I'll head out for Chloe. Don't worry, I will be on the lookout for anything suspicious."
"Thanks, Zee. Please don't tell her anything; I need to figure out how to tell her." Emma then looked at Regina. "Gina, please…"
"I get it Emma." Regina said with a small smile. "I can't promise you that I won't slip up and possibly apologize for our past, but I do promise I will work on forgiving myself. Emma, I'll do what ever it takes, even waiting for two years while you go start life in California."
Emma sighed. "I'll think about it. Honestly, it's a great offer, but my life is here. Do I let her win and run away? Maybe. I want to talk with my moms more and maybe my parents."
Regina nodded and watched as Zelena brought in a bowl of soup and a sandwich. The redhead leaned over and kissed Emma's temple. "Be back soon."
"Thanks, Zee." It was hard for Emma to not go with, but she knew Zelena would keep Chloe safe. She started eating and then sighed. "I still have to pack."
"How long are you staying with your moms?"
"I don't know. At least the weekend. Then I have to really just decide how to do this thing called life." Emma was glad it was Thursday and would only have to worry about Chloe at school for one more day this week.
"Then how about, should you decide to stay, and you still feel like you did earlier, we set our date for next Friday?" Emma gave a pout and Regina chuckled. "What's that face for."
"First you said no date tonight, and now you want to wait until next week?"
Regina chuckled and couldn't stop herself from kissing Emma's bottom lip. She stopped and pulled back. "Sorry…"
"I'm not." Emma said, cupping the back of Regina's neck and pulling her closer. She kissed her lips and melted into it. It was like no time had passed as they moved closer to each other and deepened the kiss. Emma let out a moan as she broke to take a breath. "Gods, you are still the best damn kisser ever."
Regina smirked and stroked Emma's cheek. "So are you. Okay fine, text me tomorrow and tell me how you're feeling. We can decide if we want the date to be tomorrow or Saturday…providing you still want to do this."
"Of course, I do, you idiot." Emma said with a chuckle as she took her dishes to the sink. "I would have thought that kiss proved it."
"Hmm." Regina said, tapping her chin. "I'm really not sure."
Emma grinned and in two steps was in front of Regina, her hands on her waist. "Let me convince you." She pushed Regina against the fridge and kissed her harder than before. Regina moaned and wrapped her arms around Emma's neck, cupping the back of it with her hand.
"Mama! I'm home!" Chloe called out as she burst open the door. Her eyes went wide and she froze in the doorway. "Who are you kissing?"
"Kissing? What did I miss?" Zelena asked, coming in and seeing both Regina and Emma blushing.
"Mama was kissing that lady." Part of Regina's heart ached at being called 'that lady', but she knew she deserved it. "Wait…are you…you're Gina!" Chloe said, her face going from surprised to suspicious. "You hurt my Mama a long time ago."
Emma closed her eyes. "Chloe, that's not nice."
"But it's true."
"How do you even know that? I never told you anything like that."
Chloe stood with her hand on her hip giving her mother a 'duh' look. "Auntie Zee, Auntie Mal, Auntie Ruby and even Granny Cora told me. They said that you loved Gina so much and Gina broke your heart."
Emma was about to say something, but Regina cut her off. "I did." She admitted. "I was a horrible person and hurt your mother in ways no one deserves. But I told her how sorry I am and how bad I feel. It was wrong and I know that, and your mom is such a good person, she's giving me a second chance." Regina couldn't help but grin. "You are a beautiful young lady. Gosh, I haven't seen you since you were a baby."
"You knew me back then?" Chloe asked, her anger temporarily forgotten.
"Yeah." Regina said, a pang in her heart. "You used to call me Mommy Gina."
Chloe looked at the woman. "Was it cuz of me that you left?"
"Gods no. I hated leaving you and your mother. I left to go to law school and…that's where I…"
"Where she made her mistake." Emma said. "People make mistakes, Chloe, but that doesn't make them bad people. It also doesn't mean they can't change or don't deserve another chance if they did change."
"What if they didn't change?"
"Well, they still sometimes get another chance." Emma said, sighing as she picked Chloe up and put her on the breakfast bar. "Baby girl, I have something very important to talk to you about."
"Is it about Gina?" Chloe asked, giving a side glance to Regina.
"No…well not now. I do want to talk to you about her later and fix any wrong things your dear old aunties told you."
"Come on sis, let's go in the living room while these two talk." Zelena said and Regina nodded and went with. "So, you two were kissing?"
Chloe watched Emma and noticed something different about her. "Mommy? What's wrong? You look scared and worried."
Emma sighed and sat at the bar, looking at her daughter. "Honey, this isn't easy to talk about in ways that you may understand so I'm going to do my best and you ask me anything you want, okay?"
"Okay." Chloe said, her voice shaking. "But you aren't getting rid of me or anything, right?"
"No baby. Of course I'm not. I love you way too much to get rid of you." Emma said, tapping Chloe's nose. "Honey, when I was little, I didn't always live with Grandma Olivia. She found me when I was five and adopted me, but before that, I lived with a few different people."
"Foster parents?" Chloe asked. "I've heard you talk about it, but it didn't sound good."
"It wasn't good for me. Some foster kids get great homes, but I didn't. The reason I'm telling you this is because one of those foster mothers that were not nice to me got out of jail today. She did some really bad things to me when I was with her and even after I was with Olivia."
"How did she get you once you with Grandma Olivia?"
Emma sighed, though she wanted to answer all of Chloe's questions, she didn't want to scare her. "She saw me at a park and took me. I don't want to tell you exactly what she did, baby girl, not until you're older if you still want to know, but she is the reason for the scars on my arms, legs and back."
"You mean those long lines?" Chloe asked, taking Emma's arm and pulling her sleeve up. She traced the scar and looked at her mother. "These? You always said someone did something bad to you, but that she was in jail."
Emma nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat as she felt her daughter's fingers on her scar. "Yes. She was in jail, but they let her out early…today. I went there a couple weeks ago and asked them not to let her out yet, but they did. Baby, I don't want to scare you, but I'm scared. She doesn't know where we live, but we're going to go stay with Grandma's for a while just so I feel safer. You'll still go to school, but it's very important that you don't go off with any strangers or by yourself."
Chloe looked up at her with big, scared eyes. "You think she'll take me like she did you? Mama, I don't want to get hurt."
Emma sighed and stood, wrapping her arms around Chloe. "I don't know if she wants to, honey, but I do know I'm going to do everything I can to not let that happen. I don't want to scare you, my love, and I'm sorry if I am scaring you; I just need you to understand why we'll be staying at Grandmas' and why it's so very important that you don't go anywhere with out letting one of us know."
Chloe held onto her mother and nodded against her chest. "Okay, mommy." She pulled back and looked at Emma. "Please don't let her get me or you."
Emma hated that she had effectively scared her daughter. Maybe she shouldn't have been as honest as she was. She cupped Chloe's cheeks and kissed her forehead. "Baby girl, I promise to do everything I can to keep you safe." Upon saying those words, she knew that her daughter's safety was far more important than her happiness. Maybe California was a good idea after all. Emma had already waited seven years for her happiness, what was two more? "Honey, I don't even know if Jane is going to be stupid enough to come around us. I may be worried for no reason, but for now, I want to stay back at home where I feel safer; where grandma Olivia and Gramma Manda can help me keep you safe."
"And keep you safe, Mommy." Chloe said, her little hands cupping Emma's face now. "I don't wanna lose you or see you hurt."
Emma smiled softly and pulled Chloe into her arms again. "You won't lose me, baby girl." She let out a breath and put on a smile. "Now, how about you go see what Grandmas packed for you and see if you want to add anything. You'll still go to school tomorrow because your teachers all know what's going on and will also keep you safe. Baby, I don't want you to be too worried, okay? I just want you to be careful."
Chloe nodded. "I will be, Mama. I'll be so careful." She then gave Emma a look. "Are you and Regina gonna get married? Did you forgive her for breaking your heart? Is she a bad person too?"
Emma sighed, but chuckled at the same time. "What have your aunties been telling you? Never mind, I don't want to know. No, at this time we're not getting married. Yes, I forgave her, and no, baby, she's not a bad person. She made a mistake a long time ago and is very sorry for it. I forgave her and we may go on a few dates."
Chloe smiled. "Good. No matter what my aunties said, Gramma and Grandma said you were the happiest with Gina. I want you to be happy, mommy."
Emma felt a warmth in her, and she smiled. Not only did her daughter want her happy, but she seemed to understand and be okay with the subject of Jane as well. Though, only time would tell how scared she really was. "Okay munchkin, go make sure you're all packed." Emma said, letting Chloe down from the counter. Emma sighed and leaned her head against the counter, feeling like she didn't even nap before. She felt hands on her shoulder and smiled slightly as the hands gently massaged her neck and shoulders.
"Emma, I think you need to go to your moms and take a long hot bath and go to bed. You've had an emotional day." Regina said, working her magic on some knots in Emma's muscles. "I got called into work, but I'm so glad you let me come over today."
Emma lifted her head and turned to Regina. "Thank you for coming. It really means a lot to me." She chewed on her lip. "Regina, I think…"
"Emma, your house isn't soundproof. I heard. You need to take that little angel to California. I'll fly out to you as often as I can, and we can call all the time. In two years when my contract is up, I'll come out there." She ran her fingers through Emma's hair, feeling as if time had never moved and they were teenagers again. "You're worth the wait, and that way I can prove to you that I've changed."
Emma wrapped her arms around Regina's waist and rest her head on her shoulder. "So are you. I feel like we could easily just pick up where we left off, but if I am going to California, it's kind of a tease."
"If you are going, then we have to spend all the time we can together before you do." Regina said, lifting Emma's chin and kissing her softly.
Both women found it comforting how quickly they went from being almost strangers back to feeling comfortable kissing. Though, maybe it was because emotions were high, but Emma didn't want to think about that right now. She parted the kiss and gazed into Regina's eyes. "Regina I…"
"Shh. Don't say it. Not yet. Emma, I don't want this to just be because you had a bad day. Say it after you've thought about it."
Though Emma was sure her feelings wouldn't change, she nodded. "Okay. Have a good afternoon at work." She watched Regina go and sighed, so many mixed emotions running through her.
Once at her moms, Emma excused herself and went outside to call her parents. Her mother put her on speaker, and she told them about Jane and about how scared she was. She told them she was staying with her moms for at least the weekend and, while biting her lip, told them of the offer to go to California.
"Oh Emma. If you will both feel and be safer there, then you should go. We'll take care of the tickets for you and help get everything packed and shipped there." David said, though he would hate to see Emma go.
"Your dad is right, but I get a feeling that you don't exactly want to go." Mary said, picking up something in Emma's voice.
Emma sighed. "It's an amazing and kind offer that I'd be stupid to pass up on."
"But…" Mary urged.
"But…everyone I love is here. Sure, moms said they and Preston could always move out there, but you and dad and the kids are here, Ruby, Mal, Regina, Cora are all here."
"Regina?" Mary asked, picking up on that.
David chuckled. "I'm going to let you girls talk. Emma, just know that I support any choice you make."
"Thanks dad." Emma said and waited for Mary to say something.
"So, Regina?" Emma could hear the smile in Mary's voice.
"Yes, Regina. I thought it was a pipe dream, you know? I never could get over her, but I didn't know she never got over me. I called her today. I don't even know why, but I did, and she came over and…well things happened. We talked and kissed and I think we're going on a date tomorrow."
"Oh Emma. That's so tragically romantic."
"Tragically romantic?" Emma chuckled.
"Yes. I mean in any other situation it would be fantastic, but now you have all this Jane stuff to worry about."
"I know, and Regina's under contract for two years. She did say, however, she would fly out to me as often as she could and once her contract was up, she'd move to California. It's just…mom, this is her dream. In two years, they could offer her DA and I don't want her to pass that up for me. But at the same time, I don't want to constantly live in fear."
"Sounds like you have some soul searching to do, Emma, and not much time to do it in. If it were just you, I'd be terrified, but I'd tell you to follow your heart. However, since it's not just you, I can't help but lean towards wanting you to go to California. At least for a while. However, it's not my choice to make."
"I know and I agree with you. It's just hard." Emma admitted, feeling tears in her eyes. "I could finally be with her again and this has to happen."
"True, but if that wouldn't have happened, you probably wouldn't have called Regina."
"Okay, but I'm not giving Jane credit on getting me to call Regina." Emma said bitterly.
"No, of course not." Mary said softly. "I love you Emma, and I'll do whatever I can to help, but this is a choice you need to make on your own. Just know that what your dad said was right; no matter what you decide, we will support you."
"Thanks mom. I love you both so much."
"We love you too, Emma. Just tell us when you've made your choice and if you need anything, we're right here."
Emma then went back inside to have a talk with Olivia and Amanda. She got the same response she had gotten from her birth parents and knew she had to just sit and think things through on her own.
Meanwhile in Buffalo, Jane got off the bus and into the halfway house just at check in time. She went to her room and took her new phone out, grinning. Today had just been a dry run; a chance to get a layout of everything and it was pure luck that she had seen all she had. She not only saw where Emma now lived, but also saw what her daughter looked like. The little brat was a spitting image of her mother and that helped feed the hate inside her. She was about to go when she saw Emma, the redhead, and the little one heading out and decided to follow them. Now, she knew where Emma's mothers lived and judging by the luggage, knew they'd be staying there for a while. She looked through the pictures and opened her notebook, drawing out maps and plans and then called the number in her phone. "Is it ready?" She asked, smiling at the answer. "Great. Tomorrow is the day. If I don't do it tomorrow, I won't have another chance until Monday." She hung up and looked at the picture again. "Well little one. By the time I'm done with you, both you and your mother will wish I'd have just killed you. This time, however, I won't be caught until I'm done."