A/N: Another new story?! What? LOL I know, I still have some to finish, and just started a new one, along with this one. But, all my lovely readers should know how I enjoy working on one or another fanfic. It's impossible for me to stick to just one. I love creating all I can for you all. And after watching so many movies, I came up with this idea for a story, which will be slightly based on the movie The Upside. If you've seen it, don't expect to see everything you do in the movie. A lot will be changed. If you haven't seen it- I do hope you enjoy this story. :) There is no romance in the film, but there will be here to fit our lovely ladies. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy the first chapter.
A little warning, I am going to be writing Henry very differently here than compared to my other stories, so this will be something new for me, that I am excited to share with all of you.
Her breathing stopped. Good. She was wheezing for a breath, mentally thanking God for another attack. It had been a while since she suffered one. Her heart was beating so fast, she could hear it in her ears.
Every so often, ever since she suffered her accident, Regina has been wishing to die. She prayed for the day one of her attacks would just suffocate her good enough that she wouldn't wake up. That or she would suffer some type of household accident, given that she never went anywhere anymore.
Nothing would be better for her at this point in life. If what she had left of it could be called a life.
Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as it was becoming harder and harder to breathe.
If this is the price I have to pay as a way of dying an agonizing and slow death because I killed her- so be it.
"Regina?" A woman called out as she entered the dark bedroom. The only source of light that was provided came from Regina's bedroom window. "Regina!" The woman moved toward the oxygen tank placed beside the bed, turning the knob and reaching for the oxygen mask, she placed it over the woman's nose and mouth.
God damn it, Regina- breathe! "Come on, Regina! Regina!" The woman could see the sweat building up on Regina's face, her stubbornness as bold as ever. She was always stubborn as a child, but now as an adult- and after her accident- she was just impossible as ever. Sometimes it made her want to give her up, but she couldn't. She wouldn't do that. Not to her.
Regina hated this. Having to open her eyes every day or night and having the ceiling be the first thing she saw. She hated being weighed to hand and foot, having to be dressed like a damn child and fed like one, as well as bathed- when she could very well do these things herself. If it wasn't for that damn accident she had. She wanted it to end.
"Mrs. Lucas!" The woman shouted, her head looking over her shoulder to an older woman rushing into the bedroom, her hair loose and in her pajamas. "Call an ambulance! Hurry!"
"Right away," Mrs. Lucas rushed out.
"Regina, don't do this to yourself. Please." The woman begged her, looking down at her with pleading eyes.
Regina was being wheeled out, and helped into her van. A van had more room and she could continue to be strapped down in her electric wheelchair. She hated it. She hated being alive, period. She hated that Zelena had to make a fuss and call the ambulance. Now, she is coming out of the hospital, treated and well again.
"What would you have me do, Regina? You were dying." Zelena stood by the van as Regina was being lifted up into it with the help of two male nurses.
Regina glared at the redhead, "No extraordinary measures, Zelena. None. That's my request, and I expect you to follow it."
"Well, I'm sorry, but I wasn't about to let you suffocate to death." Zelena's hand was placed on her hip. "Look, you want to die, that's your problem. Good look moving an arm to attempt suicide, but as long as I'm around- you are living."
"I never asked you to-"
"I promised our parents, Regina- on their deathbed. Our father. I don't know about you- but I am not about to break that promise. I'm putting my foot down. I am hiring someone to care for you." The woman shook her head as she climbed into the van, not wanting to have her sister's ridiculous discussion any further.
Cell bars were heard being opened and closed, echoing throughout the jail. A blonde laid out on a bench, on her back, her arm draped over her eyes. Jail wasn't a strange place for her to find herself in. Her life has never exactly been peaches and cream. Ever since she was born, she was no stranger to neglect and bad choices. Growing up in one orphanage after another, and a different set of foster homes, she turned to a life of theft. It was all she knew. Sure, she thrived for more- but who would ever hire a convict?
They'd have to be crazy and or desperate. The thought always made her chuckle.
When she was just seventeen years of age, she landed herself in jail for the very first time for stealing a pair of Rolexes with an old boyfriend. Only to find out she had been knocked up, and left alone. Asshole. She still cursed at him from time to time.
"Swan," A young police officer called out to her through the other side of the bars.
She turned her head to the direction of the familiar voice.
The officer nodded his head, his keys jingled against the lock, the key creating a loud click as the bars parted open. "Let's go. You've made bail."
The blonde sat up, standing to her feet, wearing the same clothes she had been apprehended in. A pair of jeans, a white shirt, and a red leather jacket. It became her favorite ever since she saw it inside a store one day, so she stole it.
"Emma Swan," Another young officer smiled from behind the desk. A look-at-my-boyish-good-looks-smile. Emma had become too familiar with every officer in here, especially Graham. "You'll be missed around here. Especially by Humbert here." He teased the other officer.
Graham rolled his eyes, glaring his way. "Give it a rest, Jones, will ya?"
"Oh, what? Can't work up your courage to ask her out yet?" He handed Emma her paperwork to sign, as was procedure, ignoring the officer's banter. Jones always thought himself as a pretty boy type, irrisistable to women- so he thought. Emma knew plenty of guys like him.
"Alright, let's see…" he pulled out a wallet, handing it over to Emma, a flirting glint in his eye. "Wallet," next came the blonde's watch, "watch." Followed by her necklace. The only reminder of the only foster parent she was thankful for. "And necklace."
Emma snatched the envelope from Jones' hand, glaring at him as he decided it was the perfect moment to play a game with her by snatching back the envelope as she reached for it.
"Thanks," she muttered.
"So, Swan…" Jones smirked. "Since Humbert here is too much of a coward to ask you out. How about you and I meet up after my shift?"
Emma's eyes scanned the man, her lips released a quiet chuckle. "Sorry. I don't date assholes. Besides, Humbert here has a better chance at lasting than you do."
Graham has to bite down on his lower lip to stifle a laugh, while Jones ego is deflated and shut down.
"See ya, Graham." Emma patted the man's shoulder.
"Take it easy, Em. Stay out of trouble." Graham smiled.
"I'll be seeing you again, Swan!" Shouted Jones.
Walking away and without so much as turning back, Emma gave him the middle finger, walking straight through the double glass doors of the station.
A blonde woman rushed to her door, answering it after hearing two knocks. Even if she was expecting to see her standing before her, it always surprised her. The woman stepped aside, allowing her to enter her apartment. There was no need to exchange any greetings with her.
Emma looked at the woman in gratitude, but also in an apologetic manner.
"You're welcome." She replied, already knowing what Emma was thinking.
"Is he here?" Emma asked her.
"Henry," the woman called out, heading into the hallway where the boy's bedroom was. "There's somebody here to see you."
A thirteen year old boy, copper hair and brown eyes came rushing out of his bedroom, thinking that maybe a few of his friend's came to visit. His smile however, disappeared at the sight of his mother. Emma had cleaned her act up with Henry as a baby, but then Henry became very sick with a bad case of pneumonia, and even with the help of Ingrid, money was tight. Forcing Emma to take matters into her own hands for her son's sake. She had gotten caught, and was sorry for it, but Emma always knew that saying, 'once a thief always a thief.' She hated herself for it, and she knew Henry hated her, too.
He was no longer a kid, who would always forgive her, no matter how many times she would screw her life up. But, now… he wouldn't even smile her way.
"Hey, kid." She smiled nervously, standing to her feet before her son. "How's it going?"
Henry's eyes looked toward the floor, not even wanting to look into his mother's eyes. While Ingrid, she remained by the wall, listening and hoping that the boy would give her a chance. Because no matter how many times Emma screwed up, she never stopped trying.
"How's school going?" Emma asked, not getting a reply. She looked around the room nervously, trying to figure out what to talk to Henry about. It had to be something of interest, something that would make him want to give her the time of day. She spotted a collection of baseball cards on the table. "Baseball, huh? Ingrid mentioned you were playing-"
"You don't have to do this." Henry cut in.
"What?"
"Come here and pretend like you care. You're just going to get arrested again once you can't find a job. So, why don't you just go?" The teenager turned on the heels of his feet, making his way back into the hallway.
"Henry." Emma called out to him, sighing and collapsing on the couch in defeat.
Ingrid slowly made her way into the living room, her eyes meeting Emma's. "Just give him time. He'll come around."
"Right," she muttered, spinning the silver ring on her middle finger as a habit. She stood to her feet again.
"You know you can always stay here-"
"I know." Emma walked up to Ingrid a few paces. "Thank you for getting me out. I'll pay you back, you know that."
"Don't run away, Emma." Ingrid reached for the blonde's arm. "That will only make him resent you more."
Emma chuckled, looking down at her feet as she spoke, "The kid needs space, Ingrid." She looked up at her. "And it's okay. I get it."
"What Henry needs is his mother."
"I know. And he'll get her." She smiled a sad smile. "Thanks for looking after him while I get back on my feet."
"Always. Just… try sticking to a job this time." The woman nodded.
Emma nodded, extending her arms out as she welcomed the woman into a hug. She smiled as they parted, heading out the door without even realizing that Henry had been listening the entire time. He missed his mother and he did love her, but it wasn't fair to forgive her this time. Not yet.
Emma knew the drill. Take the piece of paper from her parole officer to every job sight and get a signature as proof. She knew the drill all too well. She went to every job offering there was with very little hope of getting a job because she would never get hired anyway. Why bother? Sometimes she would tell herself that.
Luckily, she had another good friend she knew she could trust to give her a job…
"No. No way."
"Come on, August!" Emma followed her good friend into his auto shop garage, watching him work on his Harley. He loved that thing. "Please. I just got out, and I really need the job. Every place that I've applied to, as soon as they know my arrest history, they turn me down."
"Gee, I wonder why!" He said sarcastically, chuckling to himself with a shake of his head.
She rolled her eyes, looking down at him with her hands tucked inside her jacket pockets. "Can you as my friend just overlook my arrest record?"
"It's hard to forget something like that, Em."
She sighed. "My son was sick and dying! What would you have me do?"
The man scoffed, standing to his feet, the wrench in his hand clanked loudly on the ground. "You work your ass off like everyone else in this world. I don't care if I had to whore myself in every corner. Anything's better than stealing!"
"You've thought about doing that?" Emma's nose scrunched up at the image of August in a skirt and heels.
He glared at her. "Don't make jokes, alright? You know I hate it when you do that, when I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you." He went back to working on his bike, only to sigh and stand again before the blonde. "Look, Em… I'm sorry. If it were up to me, I'd give you the job, you know that. You know your way around tools and mechanics and I respect that. But my father…" He shook his head.
"I get it." She handed him her paper.
August sighed, taking the paper and singing it quickly before handing it back to her with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."
"It is what it is, August," Emma shrugged. "I guess some people just don't deserve second chances, huh?"
He watched her walk away, his stomach turning inside, out for turning her down. Emma was always a good friend to him, and she helped him out a lot when he was in a bad way in life. Even took the blame for a lot of his shit. But, no matter how much he wanted to help. He couldn't.
"Please, if you just give me a chance. I know my way around a computer. I'm really good." She pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but the position has already been filled." A man said.
Emma handed her paper out to him, adding one more signature to the list.
"No." Another man shook his head. "I'm sorry. The position has already been filled."
Emma's eyes looked toward the Help Wanted sign. "If that's so, then why is your sign still up?" She asked him, her brow raised.
The man looked over his shoulder, slowly moving toward the sign and removing it himself.
Emma chuckled, handing him over her paper to add his signature on one of the boxes.
"The job pays nine an hour."
Emma cringed, not exactly what she wanted to make but who was she to start complaining now? At least, thankfully this person was considering giving her the job. Even if it was delivering pizza's. So she smiled, "I'll take it."
The man smiled. "Do you have your own transportation?"
She frowned. Shit.
"I'm sorry, as it turns out the position has-"
"Has already been filled?" Emma jumped in, already knowing she was being rejected for the tenth time today.
The woman gave her a rather apologetic smile.
"Have you had any previous experience with parking cars before?" A woman asked.
"No, but how hard can it be? I have my license if that's what you're wondering." Emma scoffed.
She smiled. "Well, we handle all types of vehicles here, so, can you drive a shift?"
"I did once." She answered truthfully. "I mean, I kind of had to on the spot, I was stealing it."
The woman frowned.
Eh, this was a shitty job anyway. "I'll just let myself out." Emma stood up and left the room without even looking back.
"Well…" Jones smirked at the sight of Emma, while Graham's eyes illuminated the room. "Look who's back. Miss me already? Or did you come to turn yourself in?" He chuckled.
Emma smiled a sarcastic smile. "You know, I think you're the only one who thinks you're funny." Her eyes turned to Graham. "I need your help."
"Well, that's it- she's done it. I told you she'd kill someone sooner or later."
"Shut up, Jones," Graham rolled his eyes, giving his attention back to Emma. "What's up?"
Emma hated this, but it was her only way to get anyone to help her. Especially when August basically turned his back on her. "Look, as you well know, it's hard to get a job in this fucking city," she whispered, looking over at Jones who tried his best to eavesdrop. "So… I came to ask you for a job." She paused. "And a place to stay."
"You've got to be joking," Jones laughed, "You working here? As what; the maid?"
"Hey, don't you have some paperwork that you need to do? Some coffee that you need to take to the Chief?" Graham looked over his shoulder at Jones, glaring. Almost daring him to say something else.
"Actually, can I just kill him so you can lock me up and I can stay here?" Emma asked, sarcastically.
Jones chuckled, "I'm the one with the gun, love. Odds aren't in your favor."
"Yeah? Try it. You're ass will hit the floor before you can aim that thing at me." Emma challenged him.
"Jones, get the hell out of here, will ya?" Graham barked this time, causing Jones to throw a hard glare Emma's way and leave. He sighed, his eyes on Emma. "Come on. Let's get a coffee."
"That's cute, Graham, but I don't think now is the perfect time to ask me on a date."
He chuckled, "No, it's not that." He nodded toward the double doors. "Come on, I'll drive. I know a place close by."
Graham placed a hot cup of coffee near Emma, along with a newspaper with job listings. "Now, let's have a look." He scanned the listings, "Hm, how about a burger joint?"
Emma shook her head, "I tried two, one wouldn't hire me because he was a sexist prick, and the other… well, let's just say he wanted another type of convincing to give me the job."
Graham belched, his jaw clenching. "Alright, cross those out." He needed to remember to ask her for the address of that burger joint to give that creep a piece of his mind. "A pawn shop? Mm… nah, I know the owner. He's an asshole." He crossed it out.
Emma tore off a piece of her bear claw, popping into her mouth and taking a sip of her coffee. Food glorious food. She hadn't eaten anything since she made bail.
The young officer's brow furrowed, "Do you have any experience in care taking?" He asked.
"Not especially." Emma glared down at the newspaper, sliding it over to her to get a closer look at the ad in the paper.
Requesting Caretaker for a Quadriplegic
Transportation will be provided
Interviews will be held today!
108 Mifflin St.
New York, NY 10021
"Seems like a pretty easy job. I bet you even a monkey could take care of this person." Graham chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee.
"The job doesn't have very much information."
"Well," Graham glanced at the ad again. "There's a number here you can call, or I can drive you there. The place is a bit of a drive, but," he smirks. "That's where sirens come in handy."
Emma smiled.
"So? What do you say? You want to check it out?" He asked her.
"Thanks, Graham. I owe you one."
"Good luck." He smiled, watching the blonde step out of his cruiser. "So, we have a date."
Emma turned to face him, with a quizzical look.
He smiled again. "This is me officially asking you out. I realize it isn't the best time either, but better than having Jones snooping around. Besides, it may take me a century to ever ask again if I don't do it now."
Emma smiled. "Good point." She leaned against the open window of the cruiser. "You don't want to go out with me, Graham. I'm nothing but a mess."
"Maybe I like mess." He shrugged, trying to lighten the situation.
The blonde chuckled, looking up at the tall building before her before looking back at Graham. "I'll tell you what… if we ever run into each other again after this- you got yourself a date."
His brow raised, "Leaving it to chance, I see." He smiled and nodded. "I'll hold you to that, Em. Go. Good luck."
"Thanks." She patted on the car door, staring up at the apartment building. Graham was a great guy and he meant well, but getting involved with someone wasn't Emma's priority. Especially not a cop. Whoever lived here had a shit load of money. This was definitely the nicest part of New York.
Taking a deep breath, she tucked her hands inside her pockets and strolled into the building.