So this chapter focuses heavily on Regina and Emma's meeting with Jackie. This is more of a build up chapter so that the story can move on to the next part. The next few chapters are going to be more about trying to help Tia with some more of her issues. Also not all the meetings will be done in this much detail, it is just because it is the first one I wanted to include as much progress as possible. Please let me know what you are all feeling about this story.

Love Rouge xxx

Chapter 9

Regina opened the oven and took out her freshly baked apple pie, putting it on the side to cool as she closed the oven again, removing her oven gloves.

"Mmmm smells amazing Mom!" Henry said as he came into the kitchen dressed for school, he collected his lunch and packed it into his backpack before grabbing a drink from the fridge.

"Thank you dear, I hope it goes down well with Jackie during our meeting today" Regina replied as she played with her necklace.

Henry could tell she was nervous "Mom, everyone loves your apple pie, and don't worry, you and mama are doing a great job with Tia. Jackie will see that as soon as she walks through the door too" he smiled as he opened the screw cap on his drink and took a sip.

"I hope so sweetheart" she replied

"Sooo...since Jackie isn't going to eat that whole entire pie...can i have a slice for after my lunch?" He asked with a cheeky grin.

Regina smiled "It's still too hot to cut dear and you are going to be late! I'll keep you a piece for after school, i promise" she said as she caught sight of the clock hanging on the wall and kissed his cheek affectionately.

Emma came into the kitchen dressed in her usual attire with Tia on her hip "look mommy, someone chose to wear their new, pretty, pink dress today" the blonde smiled

Regina gasped and smiled gently seeing Tia dressed up. The dress fit her perfectly just as Regina had hoped it would "oh Tia, you look so pretty baby girl!"

Tia smiled happily but hid her face into Emma's neck feeling shy at the attention.

"Someone also wouldn't put shoes on again...I know we aren't going outside so we don't need them, but i thought i would give it a try" Emma explained with a shrug "there were a few tears and stomps this time, so I said just socks were ok. And we are all ok now, right kid?" She asked rhetorically as she smiled cuddling Tia. "Something smells amazing!"

"Don't even think about it. Not until the meeting" Regina quipped before Emma could ask

"Ok, got to go" Henry said "mom make sure you save me a piece of pie!"

"I will dear"

"Tia, high five? Before i go to school?" Henry offered up his hand willing to make any progress at all that he could with her. Tia smiled at him and put her hand up too. "Ready?" Henry asked and when Tia nodded he clapped their hands together "yeah! Ok see you later" he said before running out of the door.

...

"Hi Regina" Jackie smiled as Regina opened the door to greet her "how are you?" She asked as she stepped into the house when Regina stepped aside for her.

"Well, thank you, and you?" Regina asked politely

"Yeah, good thanks. Wow, your house is beautiful...and huge!" Jackie said looking around with her mouth open slightly.

"Thank you" the brunette smiled at the young woman "please come through" she directed as she lead Jackie into the living room where Emma and Tia were sat on the floor playing with a wooden jigsaw of the alphabet. "Tia, look who's come to see you" Regina said playfully.

Tia looked up and gasped cutely with a smile before she quickly crawled over to Jackie, tapped her leg and reached up to her "up!"

Jackie scooped her up and gave her a cuddle "hello! I love your pretty dress princess! I have missed you Tia!" She said "Hi Emma" she added with another bright smile

"Hey" Emma replied as she stood up and brushed herself down nervously "we were just trying to figure out a jigsaw" she smiled "can i get anyone a drink before we start?"

"Milky coffee would be great thanks" Jackie replied still cuddling Tia.

"Coffee baby?" Emma asked her wife

"Yes please dear"

"Tia? Would you like a drink of milk?" Emma asked knowing it was her favourite "you know you need to answer me though" she smiled

"Pwease" Tia nodded

"That's my clever girl" the blonde beamed as she went off to the kitchen

"Can I take your jacket? Or your bag? Regina asked wringing her hands nervously.

"Regina, calm down" Jackie giggled "this is just a formality, i'm not here to pass judgement on you or Emma, it's just a check in" she said as she took a seat on one of the couches and put Tia on her lap.

When Emma came through with the drinks and had handed them out, she took a seat next to Regina on the opposite couch to Jackie and held her hand automatically.

"Tia, would it be ok if i talked to your new mommies while you play with your jigsaw and watch some cartoons for a little bit?" Jackie asked "we have a lot to talk about so that we can do our best to look after you" she explained.

Tia nodded as she happily guzzled her milk from her sippy cup. Jackie gently stood her up on the floor and she toddled back over to the jigsaw in the corner.

"So, how have the first few days been?" Jackie asked as she put her bag down and took a writing pad out incase she had to make notes.

Both women took a deep breath but it was Regina that spoke first "It's been going really well. Lots of positives, she was obviously a little wary being in a new place with us at first but i do think giving her the picture book helped"

"Yeah, she was very happy to see her room and her new stuff" Emma added "we have made a bit of progress with talking, two or sometimes three words at a time now, and i think its helped confidence wise that we have understood her, so she hasn't had to repeat herself or anything" the blonde spoke quickly trying to explain

"You're right" Jackie smiled kindly, understanding the nervousness between the mothers "kids can get frustrated when they are trying to say something and they are not being understood. It can cause problems, but i'm glad it hasn't been an issue here."

The mothers both continued to tell Jackie the long list of positives and small progresses that they have had since Tia came to stay with them. Jackie could tell as she sat and listened, that they had been working hard and she was thrilled to hear about how Tia had been with Henry. Nothing but love for Tia poured out of Emma and Regina through every word that they said, their eyes lit up with joy. After about half an hour of talking with Jackie, Regina brought through the apple pie and cut everyone a piece, even a small piece for Tia to try, afterwards the meeting then continued.

"It sounds like you have had a lot of great progress for just a couple of days living together" Jackie said impressed "what about any problems that have come up? Any issues that you wanted to discuss?" She asked

Regina and Emma both squeezed each others hands instinctively, both trying to reassure the other. Again, Regina spoke first "I don't think there have been any issues per say, it has been a little difficult having to keep Emma's parents away. We have been sending them daily updates and pictures but understandably they want to meet her. They do understand why they can't yet though and they are very supportive. Tia has also been having nightmares and has been having accidents but we all expected that to still be happening. Each time she has had a nightmare or something has scared her while she has been here, it has taken less and less time for her to calm down."

"And we aren't using her stereo to calm her anymore, she now prefers to listen to Regina sing her a lullaby" Emma added as she took her free hand and affectionately patted her wife's knee.

Jackie nodded along gently as they were speaking and did make a few notes "I recognise that it must be difficult for your parents, but the more progress Tia makes then the closer she is to meeting them. I think the difficulty is that we know what her reaction will be and we know why, so the more trust built up between you, the more preparation, then hopefully the better. She will trust that she is in no danger with you both and calm down quickly as she has been doing up to now." The redhead informed them as she gently crossed her legs. "In terms of the panics, it sounds like you have really started to get a technique going to help her. Hopefully she will stop having the nightmares altogether as well, but hey, its been less that two weeks since you both met her, you are doing really well" she smiled.

"Mmmm" they were interrupted by a sound coming from the corner, as the three women looked over they saw a very happy Tia who had finished her apple pie and was currently smacking her lips and licking her fingers.

"Was that good kid?" Emma giggled watching her

Tia looked up at them with pastry flakes around her mouth and smiled "y…yummy" she replied

Jackie giggled "I agree with you Tia, very lovely pie Regina, thank you"

Regina beamed with pride "why thank you both. Tia that is a big compliment coming from you" she said as she went over with a tissue to clean up the little girl.

"Gen?" Tia asked looking over at the pie making all of the women laugh

"You want more? Wow you have turned into your mama very quickly" she teased

"Hey!" Emma frowned and looked over at the pie "ok, so maybe I want more too" she smirked

Regina gave Tia one more mouthful before wiping her face and hands gently "sweetheart that's enough for now, but you can have some more if you eat all of your tea later ok?" She smiled

Tia nodded her head as her mouth was full and went back to watching her cartoons happily thinking about the promise of more pie later. Regina took her seat next to Emma once again.

Jackie continued with the conversation after checking that Tia's attention was back at the tv "Has she talked about the nightmares at all?" She asked.

Regina took a moment to think back to the night times with Tia "She has just said bad or the bad man. But she does settle again and we do remind her that the bad man has gone that we are keeping her safe"

Emma frowned gently thinking about Jackie's question "She can't have much more of a conversation with us about the dreams yet, she is only two. But we do try, and we do all that we can." Emma added trying not to come across as defensive, she just really wanted Jackie to know that they were doing their best. A stroke on the back of her hand from Regina's thumb made her take another deep breath "sorry" she sighed lightly before she reached over to kiss her wife's cheek.

"No no don't be sorry, i understand where you are coming from, i just want you to be prepared incase there is a day where she can talk more about it and she wants to" Jackie explained "but who knows, maybe she wont remember when she is older"

Emma couldn't hold back the scoff that escaped from her mouth "I didn't forget"

Regina stroked Emma's fingers again but had to agree "Neither did i"

"No, but we can always hope for Tia. However, i have complete faith in both of your abilities to help Tia and encourage her to talk if or when she is ready to" Jackie replied positively.

...

"Yes, testing boundaries is completely normal" Jackie said in response to Regina describing Tia's almost tantrum when being asked to do something she didn't want to do. "You are both giving her freedom to express things that she was never allowed to before. She is experiencing new thoughts, feelings and emotions. Don't forget that she probably wants to check that she still won't be hurt if she behaves a certain way. No one can really say how long that will go on for but I promise its totally normal."

Both Regina and Emma nodded gently as they both understood what Jackie was saying, they felt supported by the young woman and that she knew what they were going through. They felt that they were able to ask all of the questions on their mind as she told them the truth, not in a blunt way, but she was honest which they were grateful for. Although this was not their first parenting experience, this was their first adoption experience and they wanted to know that they were on the right track and doing the right things for Tia.

"What did you ask her to do that started the almost tantrum anyway? If you don't mind me asking?" Jackie asked

"Well that was the last thing that I wanted to ask about…shoes, I asked her to put shoes on. Tia refuses to wear them, apart from the ones she wore at the children's home".

"Oh yeah, I know what you mean. She didn't come to the centre wearing any but her feet were clearly sore, she couldn't stand on them. We only could assume that something had happened to make her think that putting on shoes will hurt her. Personally I would guess that maybe she had spent quite some time wearing shoes that were too small? But i wouldn't know for certain" the redhead said sadly. "The shoes you are talking about were the only ones we could get her to put on, and even that took a while, even after her feet had healed. I think it was because they were soft and she could see they were big."

"They affect her walking though, i think she would feel more able to walk if she wore shoes that fit" Regina replied

"I agree. I think it's just about continuing to try. Repetition and encouragement, coming up with different techniques and something one day might just click or might just work" Jackie explained "same with meeting your parents Emma, it is just about having techniques and things in place to help her feel safe, like having regina sing and having her blanket. You both really are doing everything that you can and you are doing it all at Tia's pace which is great" She encouraged.

Tia crawled over to Emma and tapped her leg, the blonde looked down at her instantly "hey kid" she smiled. Tia lifted up her hand with a jigsaw piece in it, Emma took it gently "you stuck? Want mama to help?" She asked

Tia nodded. "That's my cue to get going" Jackie smiled "I have taken up enough of your time. You're both doing amazingly well, Tia seems to be happy and everything seems to be going great. Remember you can ring me any time and i'll be back to see you all next month"

"Thanks" Emma smiled as she held Tia's hand taking her back over to the jigsaw. Tia sat between Emma's legs with the jigsaw in front of her. "Maybe this one goes over here somewhere" Emma suggested as she popped the piece over the right side of the board by an empty space. Tia slipped it into place. "Yay, well done" Emma encouraged as she kissed her child's cheek earning a cute giggle from Tia.

Jackie went over to them and knelt down "Tia, I have to go now, but i will be back to see you soon. You are doing really well here, be good for your mommies ok?" She smiled.

Tia waved her little hand and smiled at her "Me good" she said

Jackie giggled "that's right, you are"

Regina showed Jackie out after thanking her again before cleaning up the dishes. She then came back into the living room and sat next to Emma and Tia "Well, I think that went well..." Regina shared

"Yeah, she seemed to be happy that we are doing everything right so far, so I guess we should be too" Emma replied "and Tia was such a good girl, weren't you kid? Playing nicely while the grown ups talked"

Tia smiled as she held onto one of Emma's fingers and nodded her head popping the last piece into the jigsaw with her free hand.

"Oh, all done!" Regina smiled, lightly clapping her hands "clever girl"

...

Knowing just how important it was for Tia to have a routine, every day after lunch Tia went down for a nap. They let her sleep wherever she dropped off, so far, that tended to be on the couch. As long as one mother was close, Tia didn't have nightmares and slept for at least an hour. Emma used this time to update her parents on Tia's progress.

"Yeah, Jackie said she is doing really well" Emma said, keeping her voice down as she sat on the bottom step of the stairway on the phone.

"That's brilliant news sweetheart" Mary Margaret beamed "thank you for the pictures you sent us, she looks so pretty in her dress"

"Yeah, Regina picked it out for her. Tia loves it, her favourite colour being pink and all, i think we will struggle to get her out of it tonight" she smiled

"She looks just how we imagined you would have looked like at that age" David added "I mean I know she isn't blood, but there really is a resemblance"

"Thanks, you probably wouldn't have gotten me to wear a dress like that though!" Emma smirked "I would have fought until the bitter end" she giggled.

"Oh i don't doubt it!" He replied with his own smirk to match

"Jackie also said that it's important to make sure that Tia trusts us enough first, before you meet her so that she knows she will be safe, you know because it's going to be hard the first visit at least" Emma explained

"We understand sweetheart" David replied "I am not under any illusion, I know that it will probably be a long time before I can hug her or even hold her hand. We just want to be a part of her life and help her to realise that not all men will hurt her."

"I know, just a while longer ok?" Emma asked

"As long as it takes sweetheart" Mary Margaret replied

"Thanks" she smiled "Love you guys, i'll call you tomorrow ok?"

"We love you" Mary Margaret replied

"Say hello to Henry from us too" David added

"I will, bye" Emma ended the call. She went back into the living room and smiled seeing Tia sprawled out on the couch covered with her blanket with one thumb in her mouth and her other little hand holding Regina's. The brunette was sat next to her on the end seat, she had her laptop on her knee and was trying to scroll and type with her one free hand.

Emma smirked and went over sitting on the arm of the couch next to Regina "need a hand?" She asked as she snaked an arm around her wife's waist and leaned into her.

Regina smiled "I just had an idea, but I didn't want to pull my hand away from her" she whispered

"What are you looking for?" She asked quietly as she helped to steady the laptop as Regina scrolled. The blonde nuzzled against Regina's hair and looked down at the laptop "Ohhhh I get it...hey that could really work!" She gasped excitedly

"Shhhh" Regina reminded her as Tia wriggled beside her. Once their baby girl had settled again Regina spoke "I don't know why we didn't think of it before...I think it could be a starting point"

Emma quickly pointed at the screen at another item "baby, get those too!" She whispered but couldn't control her excitement. "I think I know how we could also use those!"