Chapter 29

The beeping of the hospital monitors woke Emma up. She was lying on her right side and felt herself wrapped in a warm cocoon. When her eyes traveled down, she saw an arm wrapped around her midsection. 'Regina.' The quiet puffs of air coming from the sleeping Queen could felt on the back of her neck. She remembers being reunited with her family and friends and then being unable to move her limbs. Panic had set in so Regina transported them to the ER where she passed out in exhaustion while listening to Regina yelling for help. Now she was here in bed with Regina holding her snugly. 'What happened?'

A nurse soon came into the room to check the monitors that were beeping and realized Emma had regained consciousness. Emma was going to raise her hand to place her finger over her mouth to indicate to the nurse to be quiet, but her limbs still weren't responding to her commands. Her eyes widened in concern, but the nurse quickly walked over to her and placed a comforting hand Emma's arm. She whispered, "You're going to be alright. Please don't panic. I'll go get the doctor to come in and speak with you." The nurse's eyes looked over to Regina to make sure she was still sleeping and then back to Emma to wink at her. After turning off the alarm on the monitor, she left the room.

A few minutes later, Dr. Whale walked in. He pulled up a chair and rolled it next to Emma so that he could have a seat and speak closely with her so as not to awaken the sleeping Queen behind her.

"Good morning, Emma."

"Hey, Doc. What's going on with my body? Why can't I move?"

The doctor gave Emma a reassuring look, "It's okay, Emma. This is to be expected after your ordeal. You've not had to use a body for weeks now and this current body is brand new. It needs to learn how to do the things that your old body could. These muscles have never been used. Physically, everything is fine. You just need to re-learn how to use your body."

Emma's eyes widened, "You mean like a child? I need to learn how to walk again? Use utensils? The whole shebang?!" Her whispers were growing louder which causes Regina to shift behind her and tighten her hold. Regina mumbled a little bit, but otherwise remained asleep.

Dr. Whale looked from Regina to Emma and explained, "The Queen used a significant amount of magic to free you and then transport the two of you here. She exhausted herself, but should be fine after resting. You, on the other hand, will need to go through extensive physical therapy to learn how to perform everyday functions again."

Emma nodded in understanding. She didn't care because she was just grateful to be alive and back with her loved ones. She began to have an idea, but Whale noticed her expression and spoke up, "Magic won't fix this, Emma. Magic can fix physical injuries, but it can't help you learn to use muscles. You'll need to put in the work and do this the old-fashioned way."

Chuckling, Emma looked down in embarrassment. "You caught me, Doc." Looking at the clock, she then turned back to him, "How long have I been here?"

"You've been here for a couple of days. Your family has been in and out to visit. Mal and Audrey are watching the kids." He then sighed, "I think I should tell you that David has also been by. He just sits by your bed sobbing in silence and staring into space. He never says anything to anyone. He just walks out seemingly zoned-out. Ruby is actually keeping Neil for David."

Emma swallowed hard imaging what David must be going through. "Dr. Whale, since I'm unable to move, could you possibly have someone call David for me and let him know that I'm awake and would like to talk to him?"

Standing up, Whale turned to his nurse and nodded for her to go make the call, "Of course. I'll be back to check on you later. For now, rest. That's the best thing for the two of you right now." Emma nodded and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of being enveloped in the love of her Queen.

When Emma awoke again, Regina was awake and talking to Katherine and Audrey. Emma was now in bed by herself and lying on her back. When she opened her eyes, she heard Henry speak, "Ma!" He ran up to the bed, but wasn't sure if he could hug her.

Tristan, who was also there, had no problem crawling up onto the bed and into her mother's chest. "Mommy!" She wrapped her arms around Emma's neck and buried her face into her mother, "Did you have a nice nap?"

Emma chuckled, "Yes, Sweat Pea, I did." Emma then moved her neck to kiss her daughter's head. Looking up, she saw Regina looking serious, "What's going on?" Looking at her other visitors, she acknowledged, "Hey, Kat. Aud."

Katherine rolled her eyes, "We were just discussing your will." Emma's eyes shot up to look at Katherine's. Staring at the blonde, she was processing why they would be discussing that and then realization kicked in.

"Oh no! We need to.."

Katherine held her hand up to silence Emma's panic, "It's alright, Emma." She dragged out a Ziploc bag from her purse that contained what appeared to be dust or ash. Dropping the bag onto the foot of the bed, Katherine looked up at Emma, "That's your will."

Staring at the bag, Emma snorted and looked at Regina, "I know you didn't like it, but really, Regina, a fireball to it?"

Regina huffed, "That was not my doing."

Emma looked back at Katherine who laughed, "Apparently coming back from the proverbial dead negates a magical will. It turned to ash once you returned. It crumbled in my hands. I don't think we need to worry about the stipulation anymore."

Nodding, Emma noticed how serious Regina and Audrey still were. "Ok, so then why is everyone so serious?"

"We seem to be disagreeing on where best for you to do physical therapy; Storybrooke or….." Regina snapped in Audrey's direction.

"I see." Emma appreciated how the two ladies looked out for her wellbeing. Physical therapy in Storybrooke would be more limited than the outside world, but the citizens would understand why she required the therapy in the first place. Going home would mean not having to deal with magical messes and provide a safer environment for Tristan. She was torn on what to do. Studying the women in front of her, she made a decision. "I'll do my therapy here in Storybrooke so that I can avoid having to explain why I require it. That'll also give Regina and I time to make decisions on what happens after it's completed."

That seemed to appease both ladies and their shoulders seemed to drop at the same time. Regina walked over and crawled into bed with Emma, holding her and her daughter tight as she buried her cheek into Emma's neck. "I love you, Em."

"I love you, too."

Three weeks later, Emma was making large strides. She was walking with the use of a walker and finally able to hold her eating utensils correctly. Magic wasn't something she had attempted yet so she relied on Regina for any magical help such as transporting her to another floor in the house. Twice a day, Emma would walk around the block with her walker and enjoy the sounds of the outdoors. She had yet to visit Excalibur which contained her sealed mother.

While walking alongside Regina slowly around the park, Emma stared out at the playground while Tristan and Roland climbed on the monkey bars, "David still hasn't visited me.", she choked out. She knew her father was struggling, but why hadn't he visited his daughter or even spoken to her on the phone? Her issues with abandonment began rising to the surface.

Sensing her lover's struggle, Regina stepped in front of Emma and cupped her face in her hands. "I'm sure he feels guilty for all that you suffered because of Snow. He needs to come to terms with all that has happened and heal himself before he sees you. I know it's difficult, but we need to be patient. Like you, he internalizes everything and wants to solve his own problems.", Regina reminded her.

Emma huffed, "I'm not always like that."

Regina just looked at her with a 'give me a break' expression.

They made their way to a nearby picnic table where they could talk more and still watch the kids. "So, I think we need to discuss what happens after I'm done with physical therapy."

Regina took a deep breath and let it out. She knew this was coming, but wasn't sure she was ready. "Emma, there's something else we need to discuss first."

"You're pregnant." Emma simply responded.

"Regina looked up from their joined hands from across the table, "You knew?"

Rolling her eyes, Emma snorted, "Of course I knew. I could see and hear everything going on outside. I saw how nauseous you were getting and then you made references to me while holding your belly."

"I'm so sorry for not bringing up sooner. I just didn't want to put more pressure on you. I wanted you to focus on your recovery.", Regina quickly tried to explain, but Emma cut her off.

"Hey, it's okay. Really.", she patted the hand in hers. Staring at their hands for another minute, Emma finally guided the conversation again, "So what are you thinking for us?" She swallowed the lump growing in her throat. Dread had built up in anticipation of Regina's decision.

"I don't want to lose you again, Emma. I can't. My home is where you are. Where our kids are. I know you don't want to move back to Storybrooke..." At that, Emma took a deep breath preparing herself for the 'but' in the statement. However, "so that's why I had asked Henry if he'd be okay moving if we needed to."

"What? When did you ask him that?" Emma had been surprised.

"When you were still sealed and the stipulation in your will was revealed. I couldn't imagine losing Tristan." Regina held Emma's hands tighter, "You've made quite a life for yourself and I wouldn't dream if disturbing that success. I want to go with you. I want to be there with you and raise our children together. Henry will be off to college soon and as he said, he'd be moving away anyway." Regina continued to ramble, "I know Mal and Audrey will follow you. Audrey is more of a parent to you than the Charmings ever were and Mal has been such a good friend to you."

Emma nodded, "You wouldn't have to work. We don't need the money."

"About that, Emma, why did Rumple leave you all that money?" Regina stared directly at Emma while Emma looked everywhere, but at Regina. She'd forgotten about this. "Um, well….he…." Emma was growing antsy and began to shift in place. When she tried to retract her hands, Regina held them firm.

"Emma?" she asked more sternly.

Electing to stare at their daughter, she finally answered, "He knew Tristan was yours and he wanted you and our children taken care of. He knew you wouldn't accept the money."

"But why would he….", Regina's eyes grew wide as her face grew ashen. Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Dammit, Mother."

Emma tried to come to his defense, "Bobby changed once the Darkness was removed. He was really trying to be a better person."

A voice from behind them interrupted their conversation, "Regina."

Regina looked behind Emma and up, "Mother. Would you care to explain what the hell you were thinking?"

Another voice behind Regina interjected, "Don't speak to your mother that way, Mija."

Regina whirled around to see her father and Rumple standing side by side. Rumple stepped forward, "I think it's time we had a chat, Regina. The four of us."

Emma got the hint and slowly stood up and grabbed her walker, "I'm just going to check on the kids." She then slowly made her way towards the playground. Regina looked to Emma in concern, but Emma gave her a look indicating she was fine and to talk with her family.

Tristan and Roland were climbing up one of the slides backward, "Look at me, Mommy! Look how high I can climb now!"

"I see that! You're getting so big!", Emma admired.

"Look at me, Em! I can get high too!" Roland showing a little jealousy and wanting attention screamed.

"Incredible, Ro! You're so strong! Show me your muscles!", Roland held up his arm to flex his bicep for Emma and had the biggest smile on his dimpled face while showing off.

"You're looking well, Em.", her father's voice said from behind. She jumped a little in surprise, but then turned to see his soft face looking down at the ground in guilt for not visiting sooner.

While she understood his struggles, she couldn't imagine doing the same thing to one of her children if they had been in the hospital and recuperating. "Yes. You'd know how I was if you had bothered to visit or even speak to me once I was awake." She then turned back to watch the children and made her way to a bench a few feet away. David walked closely behind and helped move her walker out of the way after she was seated. He then joined her to watch the kids.

"Where's Neil?"

David looked down at his lap in embarrassment, "He's still with Ruby. I'm not ready to…..", he shook his head and couldn't finish his train of thought so Emma jumped in.

"You're not ready to what? Take care of your son? Move on with your life after the horrible things Snow did?" Emma would never refer to that woman as her mother again. Audrey was her mother. "Grow up, David! Neil needs his father. He's already lost his mother. You need to nut up. Quit dumping your responsibilities onto Ruby and be the man Neil thinks you are." Emma knew it was tough love, but it's been long enough. She needed to snap her father out of his funk.

David knew she was right and hoped meeting with his daughter would be a first step in the right direction. "I spoke with Philip and he told me about everything Snow had said and done. Flora also came to see me and told me about Snow's erratic behavior."

Emma nodded, "She never got over the fact that I'm in love with a woman." Shaking her head, Emma let out of humorless laugh, "Zelena and Mal are still trying to figure out why the spell did what it did. We may never know."

Nodding, David turned to watch his granddaughter and laughed at her antics with Roland. He then grew more serious, "I visited Snow the other day, or rather where she's sealed. I tried talking to her, but nothing happens when I do."

"Mmm, she doesn't have magic. The only way I was able to react to visitors is my magic. My guess is she can see and hear you, but is unable to respond."

David turned to Emma, "Have you visited her yet?"

Pursing her lips together, her expression grew morose, "No."

Tristan and Roland ran up to Emma just then, "Mommy, where's Mama?" Tristan had been clingier after Emma's absence and was always concerned where both her mothers were.

"She's over there talking to your grandparents. She'll be over shortly, Sweetie."

Tristan then stared at David for a minute before grabbing Roland's hand and dragging him back to the slides. David just smiled at the little girl, "She's so much like Regina. It's amazing." He then watched as Tristan directed Roland on where she wanted him to stand for a game they were playing. That really got David chuckling, "I see a future Queen in our midst."

That made Emma laugh out loud, "Oh, yes. She's just as feisty and head strong as Regina."

"Do you think you'll have more children?"

Emma continued to laugh, but let out a snort, "Actually, Regina is pregnant."

David's face grew red in thought, "Oh my God, Ems, I'm so happy for you!" He pulled his daughter into a bear hug and kissed the top of her head. With his face still somewhat buried in his daughter's hair, he then asked, "Emma, are you going to stay in Storybrooke?" He knew the answer, but was still hopeful she'd change her mind.

"I'm sorry, David, but I have no desire to stay in this town. I want my kids to be raised in a life without the constant magical concerns that face this town. I need my family to be safe and want a normal life for my children. I'm happy to visit or you can visit us, but Regina and Henry have decided to move back with me."

Kissing his daughter's head again, he pulled her closer, "I understand. I'm actually tempted to follow you. It would be nice to have a fresh start somewhere and still be close to family. Do you think they could use some help at the police station over there?" He grinned half joking, but Emma knew he was seriously considering it.

"Give them a call, David. I bet Regina could arrange the paperwork for a transfer and have everything look legit. Just say the word. We'd love to have you with us. In fact, Audrey may need to hire additional security at the music hall. I'll ask her when we get back home later."

"Seriously? That would be perfect! Thanks, Ems." David stood up, "Well, I better go pick up my son. I think I'm gonna stop at the liquor store to buy a 'thank you' gift for Ruby for all that she's done.

Emma smiled at the change in her father and knew he was on his way to recovery now. "I'll text you later after I speak with Audrey and Regina."

After David left, Emma turned around in her seat to check on Regina who was sitting with her jaw open and staring at her mother. She noticed Regina shaking her head and looking up to the sky in disbelief. 'I bet she just learned that Mal is her sister.' For her part, Cora looked embarrassed and kept looking to Henry Sr. for reassurance as he patted her back in comfort.

"What's going on over there?" a voice from behind Emma asked.

Emma smiled and turned back around towards her children to find her old friend standing there with her hands in her front pockets. "Hey, Lils. Just a family discussion." Emma shifted to get more comfortable after feeling stiff sitting in one place, "How you doing?"

Chuckling, Lily sat across from Emma, "I should be asking you that." Emma just rolled her eyes and gave her a look as if to say 'just answer the damned question.'

"I'm good."

"That's it? Really? Come on, Lils, there are no more vamps to hunt down and you've found your mother. How are you really?" Emma just sighed in frustration.

"Ok, fine. I'm…. adjusting. I still can't believe I'm a dragon or that Maleficent is my…." Lily squirmed in her seat and looked down at her folded hands on the table top. She began twiddling her thumbs and then grabbing some leaves and tearing them into smaller pieces nervously. Emma remained silent and allowed Lily to open up at her own pace. "I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do now, you know? I mean, I was good at hunting vampires, but now what? I didn't go to college or anything and I know nothing of this magical stuff." Her voice was gradually rising in frustration so Emma reached across the table and placed her hands on top of Lily's to calm her down.

"Mal loves you so much, Lils. She's worked so hard and sacrificed so much to be reunited with you. Give her a chance. You can learn so much from her. She'd do anything for you. She's truly an incredible woman."

Nodding in agreement, Lily continued, "I know. I've gotten to know her. I guess I'm just nervous of what happens now. Where do we go from here?"

Smiling in sympathy, Emma responds, "Have you talked to her about your concerns?"

Shaking her head in the negative, Emma rolls her eyes, "Seriously, Lils. Just talk to her. She doesn't bite." Emma then grinned her little joke and Lily just huffed in annoyance. It was then that Emma felt Regina's presence approaching from behind and turned to see Regina studying Lily with new eyes.

"How did it go?" Emma stared at her lover for any hints as to her frame of mind, but she didn't get any hints.

Regina gritted her teeth and put on a fake smile in front of Lily, "We can talk about it when we get home."

Emma swallowed hard, 'Uh oh. I'm in trouble.'

Lily recognized the fake expression and noticed the tense atmosphere, "Ok, well, I'm gonna go and find Mal. Good luck, Em!" Emma glared at her friend and watched her high tail it from the table.

"Regina, I…"

Before Emma could continue, Regina's cell phone buzzed with a text message and she saw it was Lily's number. 'That's strange.' She looked across the park to see if Lily was still around, but there was no sign of her. She unlocked her phone to read the text, "We need to meet and discuss what I found in my investigation of Robin's house in the forest. Don't say anything to Em." Regina's nostrils flared and she let out a loud exhale through her nose while pursing her lips.

"Everything okay?" Emma stared at Regina wondering what could've happened.

Regina didn't give anything away and continued to stare at her phone while she answered, "Nothing major. Just the same idiots, different day." She replied trying to play the text off as work related. She knew Emma's built-in lie detector wouldn't ping on that since she didn't care for Lily in the first place. 'But she's family now. Dammit.' It was difficult to change her way of thinking after hurricane of information she just learned from her parents.

Emma nodded and turned to check on the kids again, "They get along really well." She watched as Roland continued to follow Tristan's instructions in their imaginary game and just snickered.

Regina looked up and genuinely smiled at the pair, "They really do. Funny that even though Roland is older, Tristan rules the roost."

Emma chuckled, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." And then she winked at Regina who simply blushed.

Clearing her throat, she changed the subject while still holding her cell phone, "I need to deal with this mess, but then I'll be home later and we're going to sit down and get everything out into the open." She raised one eyebrow at Emma to make her point and all, but dared her to argue, but Emma just nodded and looked worried.

"Yeah, sure. Um, anything I can do to help you?"

"No, Dear, I'll be fine. This shouldn't take very long. Are you alright walking back with the kids?"

'Uh oh. She called me Dear. I'm so screwed.' "I can do it. I'm getting stronger each day. It'll be a good test for me to be by myself. If I need help, I'll call you, promise." Emma held her arms up and flexed her muscles like Roland had done earlier for her and internally Regina just chuckled at what a child her Emma was.

She walked up and kissed Emma slowly with a small smile on her face to let her know they were still okay and then she was gone in a plume of purple smoke.

Thirty minutes later, Regina was in the forest standing in the middle of the housing development that the Merry Men had used. She looked around in distaste while waiting for Lily to show.

"Hey, thanks for coming on such short notice, but I thought you should see this." Lily had just shown up and walked out from between some trees.

Regina nodded and began following Lily to one of the houses, "What is it you found?"

Lily walked up to a house whose door looked like it had been kicked in and stopped before entering to explain, "Now that the vampires are gone, I needed to come up with an explanation for my corporate office as to how the vampires disappeared and how I know they won't return. I was trying to find something I could use to back up my story, but instead I found this." She opened the door to the house and allowed Regina to enter first while she leaned to the side and held the door open.

When Regina entered, her eyes blew wide open and her body shivered in disgust. "What the hell is this?" She walked around looking at the all the pictures and news articles hanging on the walls with red marker slashed through the images. Some pictures had obviously been slashed with a knife or other sharp object. "It's Emma." She gasped as she took in all the pictures of her True Love. She noted the dates on some of the articles hanging.

Lily walked behind her and nodded in silence to allow Regina to take everything in. Regina then noticed pictures taken of Emma with an infant Tristan in her arms and a brunette Mal helping her carry groceries. Her blood ran cold at the thought of Robin stalking them even back then. While she was unnerved by this, she was also studying Emma's expression in the older images. How happy and relaxed she appeared. 'She's never looked like that here in Storybrooke.' She noted Mal's soft expression while staring at Emma and little Tristan. In another image, Mal was holding the baby while Emma was carrying a case containing some instrument on the steps of the music hall. They were laughing about something and Emma had her hand on Mal's forearm. Jealousy flared in Regina, but she knew she needed to quiet her thoughts.

"Who else knows about this?" Regina finally asked while her anger gradually grew.

"Just us. I was going to call David, but he's been … having a tough time." Lily rubbed the back of her head with one hand and looked down at the floor.

Regina then held up her hand and a large ball of fire began swirling and growing in her palm. Lily's eyes grew and she began to slowly back away from the Queen. Just as Lily reached the doorway, Regina threw the fireball at the pictures and then quickly formed and threw another one at another wall. The flames quickly spread just as Regina turned back to Lily, flames engulfing the room all around her. They didn't seem to have an effect on Regina though as she smiled wickedly, "And no one else will ever know. Do we understand each other, Dear?"

Lily stared in silence with her jaw wide open and she simply nodded quickly while continuing to back out of the house. Regina, on the other hand, disappeared in her signature purple magic.

Lily, now standing in the middle of camp ground and watching the house burn to the ground, finally found her words, "Damn. That was hot."