I'm back. I absolutely love little Emma! Eventually, I will have to make her grow up to get on with the story, but for now (and as long as I have muse for her) she's staying little. Also, some way wonder the "realistic" factor of Emma's trust issues and things like that, but coming from someone who works with kids, has a degree in Early Childhood Education, and relatives who have done foster care, I assure you some kids do take longer to finally trust those they are with – if they ever do. For a child who has been passed around, they sometimes never believe it won't happen again. Anyways, back to the story!

Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 4

"No, Emma! That's now how you play house!" Lilly yelled and stomped her foot.

"Yes it is!" Emma yelled back.

"No, it's not!"

"Yes, it is!" Emma crossed her arms and pouted. "That's how it was at my old house."

Lilly stopped herself from yelling back and shook her head. "I don't wanna play like that. My mommies would never do that to me."

Mal stood by the door and listened. Though she didn't want any huge fight to break out, she liked the girls to try and work things out for themselves.

"But I don't know any other way." Emma said softly. "My old mom always yelled at me and told me I was dirty and made me go sit in the corner or in my room."

Lilly sighed and looked down. "I don't like being called dirty. It makes my heart hurt."

Emma's eyes filled with tears. "I didn't mean to make your heart hurt, Lilly. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm a terrible sister."

Lilly looked over and then went to Emma, wrapping her arms around her. "You're not a terrible sister, Emma, you just didn't know it was wrong. Please don't cry."

"Can you show me how to play the right way? I wanna know how to play so when I go to school, I don't have people mad at me."

"I will, but Emma, if anyone gets mad at you, you tell me, and I'll take care of them." Mal chuckled at that and then went back downstairs to finish dinner.

About an hour later, the girls came down and climbed up the barstools. "Mama Mal! Lilly teached me the right way to play house!"

"Did she? That was nice of her. I didn't know there was a wrong way to play though."

"Well, Emma yelled at me and said I was dirty like a dog and made me sit in the corner."

Emma looked scared. "I didn't know that was bad. I didn't know!"

Mal came over and cupped Emma's face. "Hey, my little swan, I'm not upset. You didn't know."

"If I'd have said that, you'd yell at me." Lilly said, giving a bit of a pout. "You never yell at Emma."

"So, did you tell me just so I'd yell at Emma?" Mal asked and Lilly shrugged.

"You never yell at her. She never gets in trouble but if I did what she did, I'd get in trouble."

Maleficent looked at her daughter and while she understood what she was saying, she was a bit upset that Lilly would try to get Emma in trouble. "Honey, that's because you know the difference. You know what it's like to have a loving family and she doesn't. We have to teach her, baby. Now that she knows, she won't do it again and if she does, then she may get talked to or have a time out. You're never yelled at, my little love bug, but you do get time outs. She will too if she needs it."

Emma just sat in her chair and kicked her feet as she looked down. She didn't understand why Lilly was mad that she didn't get in trouble. Maybe she was already starting to wear out her welcome. Even if Mal and Regina had said they'd never get rid of her, she knew that if Lilly wanted her gone, she'd be gone. Real kids always came first, and Emma knew that all too well. She really didn't want that to happen, so she looked over at Lilly. "If you want me to go into time out, I will."

Mal furrowed her brow and looked over at Emma. "Honey, why would you go into time out?"

"Because I don't want Lilly to decide that she doesn't want me here no more. Real kids always get what they want and if she don't want me here no more, I have to go and I don't wanna go." Emma slid off her stood and went to stand in the corner. She put her nose on the wall and just stood there.

Lilly watched and then looked at her mother. "What is she doing?"

Mal knew she could play this one of two ways and she decided to go down the lighter route. "I think she's checking to see if there's any spiders in the corner. Or, maybe she's smelling the paint on the wall." Mal grinned as she watched Emma giggle.

"Maybe she's pretending to be the broom!" Lilly said and Emma giggled even more.

The little blonde turned and put her hand on her hip. "I'm trying to take my time out."

"That's the corner, not the time out stool." Lilly said, pointing to a stool on the other side of the room. "That's the stool."

"Fine." Emma said, going over and sitting on the stool. "Now, will you want to keep me, Lilly?"

"Of course I want to keep you. But you don't gotta go in time out."

Mal went and picked Emma up, taking her back to the bar stool. "You will get time out if you deserve it, and no matter what, you are here to stay."

"Even if Lilly didn't want me no more?"

"Honey, if something happened between you and Lilly that caused you to fight, we'd work it out. We'd talk and we'd make sure everyone was happy." She stroked Emma's hair. "Please stop worrying about being sent away, Emma. It's just not going to happen."

Emma looked down, feeling crummy. "I'm sorry. I wish I wasn't so stupid." She said, hitting her head. "I wish I just believed you." She hit her head again. "Stop being stupid, Emma!" She said, going to hit herself again, but being stopped by Mal.

"Shh, baby girl. You're not stupid." She said, kissing her cheek. "You're not stupid at all. You've been through a lot. Come on, let's set the table for Mommy Gina since she should be home soon."

The girls helped set the table and when the door opened, Lilly rushed out to the hall. "Mommy!" She ran up to Regina who picked her up and peppered kisses all over her face.

"My Princess. How was your day?"

"Good! I teached Emma how to play house the right way."

"You taught her. Wait, what do you mean the right way?"

"We'll talk about that later, love." Mal said, coming over and kissing Regina's cheek. "Dinner is ready."

"Well where's my other princess?" Regina asked, looking for Emma.

"She's sitting in her seat." Mal said and looked at Lilly. "How about you go get in your seat and we'll be right there."

Lilly left and Mal explained how Emma had called herself stupid and hit herself. "Regina, we really need to see about getting her in to see Dr. Hopper."

"I thought about that. I don't want her to see him, so I booked her an appointment with his assistant who is a woman. I think Emma will relate better to her."

"When can she get in?"

"Tomorrow. Are you able to take her, baby? I have a meeting, or I'd do it."

"Of course, I can. What time?"

"I made it for eight forty-five so it can be right after Lilly goes to school."

"Okay, we will be there. Come on, let's go eat."

That night, Emma had nightmares again, but didn't get sick this time. Regina was able to sooth her, able to rub her back again since the lotion helped her feel better and was able to get her back to sleep. The appointment went well and though it was just to meet the doctor and start talking, Emma liked the doctor and was excited to come back. By the weekend, the nightmares weren't as bad, and Emma was starting to sleep through the night.

Monday morning came and Emma was already up when Regina went to get her. "Well you're up early, Princess." She said, coming into the room and sitting on Emma's bed.

"It's my first day of school." She said quietly. "I'm scared."

"I know you are, baby girl, but we talked about this. You're going to have so much fun and you've already met your teacher a few times."

"I know." She said and laid back down. "The adults are usually nice; it's the kids who are mean."

"Honey, if any of the kids are mean, you just tell Ms. Boyed and she will take care of it." Regina laid next to Emma and stroked her forehead. "Honey, if you don't feel ready, you don't have to go. You've gone through a lot of changes and we don't want to push you if you're not ready."

"What if I think I'm ready but then I'm not?"

"Then you tell Ms. Boyed and she will call me or Mama and we'll bring you home until you feel more ready."

"Okay, mommy…I mean Gina."

"Can I tell you a secret?" Regina asked, kissing Emma's forehead.

"Sure."

"I like it when you call me Mommy." She said, looking into Emma's eyes.

Emma smiled softly. "I like calling you mommy. I just didn't know if you was okay with it."

"I'm very okay with it, and Mama is okay with you calling her Mama." Regina said before peppering Emma's face with kisses, causing her to giggle. "Now, let's get dressed and go downstairs. Mama is making breakfast and I think it's French toast."

Emma smiled wide. "I like French toast."

"I know you do; with lots of syrup."

Emma giggled and sat up. "And strawberries."

"And strawberries. I think that maybe we should go eat before we get dressed actually. That way you don't have to worry about getting that pretty dress you picked out all sticky."

The two made their way downstairs and saw Lilly tucking in as Mal made a plate for Emma. "There's my two other angels." Mal said, kissing Regina's cheek. She looked at Emma. "Syrup and strawberries with your French toast?"

"Yes please, Mama." Emma said as she went to get into her chair.

Mal paused for a moment and smiled wide at Regina. "She called me Mama and didn't correct herself." She whispered and Regina kissed her.

"She did."

After breakfast, Regina went up with the girls to help them get dressed and ready. She dressed them as Mal helped them brush their teeth and did their hair. Emma had picked out a long-sleeved purple shirt and a jean skirt that had overalls over her shirt. The skirt had flowers on it and Emma loved flowers.

"Why do I gotta wear shorts under the skirt?" She asked as Regina helped her get her socks on.

"Because it's too hot for tights and this way, you don't have to worry about anyone else seeing your pretty panties." Regina answered, tapping her nose. "I know you want your pretty shoes, but how about if we also pack your white ones just in case you want to play?"

"Okay." Emma said, shrugging a bit.

In the bathroom, Emma brushed her teeth as Mal brushed her hair, spraying it with detangle spray. "How about some cute braids today?"

Emma spit and then nodded. "Okay."

Mal helped Emma finish and then sat her up on the counter. She did two French braids and ended them at the base of her neck so that the rest of her hair was left in curly ponytails. Mal used a mirror and showed her and Emma smiled. "It's so pretty. How did you make it curl?"

"You have natural curls, baby girl, the spray I use helps it curl more." Mal said as she fluffed out the curls. "You have very pretty hair."

Emma looked over and reached for Mal's hair. "Like yours? Lilly's hair is like Mommy's and mine is like yours."

Mal smiled and kissed the tip of Emma's nose. "You're right. I told you that you complete our family, Emma. Do you believe me now?"

Emma smiled and nodded. "I believe more and more every day."

Mal grinned happily and hugged Emma. "I love you, little Swan."

"I love you too, Mama."

"Come on girls, let's get going." Regina called out as she put her coat on.

The car ride was quiet as Emma was nervously watching out the window. At the school, Emma held onto Mal's hand as they walked to the playground drop off area. She saw the woman her mama had talked to last time and moved closer to Mal. Mal looked down at her and gave her hand a squeeze. "It's okay, baby." She whispered.

"Oh, there's Emma." Ms. Boyed said with a smile. "The kids are so excited for you to come today. Lilly has told us all about her new sister and the kids can't wait to meet you." She knelt down in front of Emma. "Are you excited to meet them, Emma?"

Emma gave a small shrug and pressed herself against Mal's legs. Regina smiled softly and let Lilly go play. "She's a bit nervous today." She explained. "Apparently, Emma has had experience with mean kids in the past."

Ms. Boyed gave an understanding nod and then looked at Emma again. "Honey, I understand you're nervous, but wouldn't you like to give it a chance?" After getting a signal from Regina, she continued. "If you decide it's too much, we can call your mommy to come and get you. How about you go put your bag on your hook? Do you remember where it is?"

"Yes, ma'am." Emma said, taking her bag to her hook and hanging it up.

"You Emma?" A little boy asked as he put his bag away.

"Yeah." She said, making sure she could still see her mothers.

"I'm Charlie. Lilly told me all about you and I'm glad you're finally here." He said with a smile. "Wanna come play blocks with us?"

Emma shrugged. "Sure." She then went with him to where two other kids were playing and started playing blocks.

"She seems to be okay." Regina stated. "But please do call if there are any issues."

"I will, don't worry." Ms. Boyed smiled. "Emma honey, do you want to say goodbye to your moms?"

Emma ran over and hugged them. "You'll come back for me, right?"

"Yes, of course sweetie. We'll be back to pick you and Lilly up and then we'll go to lunch so we can hear all about your first day." Regina said, playing with Emma's curls. "I love you, baby, you have a great day."

Emma smiled warmly. "I love you, mommy." She said hugging Regina and then to Mal. "I love you, mama." She hugged her as well.

"I could get used to this." Mal said quietly to Regina. "We love you too, baby."

After saying goodbye to Lilly as well, the two left, both turning back a few times to see Emma playing with the other kids. Regina had taken the day off and she and Mal spent some time getting 'reacquainted' before they had to go back and pick the girls up. When they did, Emma came running to them, hugging the legs of Mal since she was the closest.

"You came back!" Emma said, looking up at Mal with a tear stained face.

Regina knelt and wiped Emma's face. "What is wrong, darling?"

"I was scared you wouldn't come back." Emma said, sniffing.

Mal looked over as Ashley came over. "How long has she been like this?"

"Just in the last fifteen minutes. I would have called you, but I knew you'd be here. She honestly had a great day today, but just recently started worrying you wouldn't come for her no matter how many times I tried to assure her."

Regina picked Emma up with an internal sigh. She had no idea how to convince Emma that she was theirs and they would always be there for her. She knew it was going to take time, but she wished there was something more she could do. She held Emma close as the little one rested her head on Regina's shoulder. "Honey, I told you we'd be back to get you."

"I know. I'm sorry, mommy. I wish I didn't always think like this." Emma said, more tears falling. "Mommy, I don't like my tummy hurting 'cuz I'm scared all the time. I want it to stop."

Regina rubbed Emma's back as Mal went to get Lilly and their bags. "I want it to stop too, Baby girl, but the only thing that can stop it is if you trust us." She went to a bench in front of the school and sat down. "That's going to take time, honey, but if there's anything else we can do to make you feel better, you tell us."

Emma gave a shrug against Regina as she was still cuddled into her. "I don't know, mommy. You say everything I wanna hear, but I don't know how to believe it. I think something is wrong with me." Emma lifted her head and wiped at her eyes. "Can't the doctor lady fix me?"

Regina sighed and cupped Emma's cheeks. "Dr. Smith is helping you, baby girl, she can't fix you because there's nothing broken or wrong with you." She kissed Emma's forehead. "Honey, I wish I could make you feel better about it right now, but I can't. It's going to take…"

"Time." Emma said sadly. "It doesn't make you mad that I get worried?"

"No baby. It doesn't make me mad at all. It makes me sad that I can't help you, but it doesn't make me mad."

"Emma! Emma what's wrong? I thought you haded a good day." Lilly said as she and Mal came over.

"I did. I had a lot of fun."

"Then why are you sad?"

"I don't know." Emma said, looking down. "I don't wanna talk about it."

Lilly shrugged. "Okay." She looked at Regina. "Are we going to lunch?"

"Yes, we are."

The family went to lunch and while Emma was quiet, they still had a good time. However, Emma's quietness seemed to get worse as the day went on. Lilly played with her toys as Emma quietly colored and seemed to be within herself.

"What do we do?" Mal asked quietly as she and Regina sat on the sofa pretending to watch TV.

"I don't know." Regina sighed. "I wish I knew. Maybe I should call Dr. Smith and ask her?"

"That may be a good idea." Mal said, handing Regina her phone.

"Thank you, Dr. Smith." Regina said before hanging up with a sigh. "Give it time." She said looking at Mal, rolling her eyes. "Act as if everything is normal and give it time. How much are we paying her again?"

Mal couldn't stop her chuckle. "Well, you didn't want her to see the Cricket."

"I still don't." Regina said, sitting down. "I just wish we could do more."

After dinner, they decided to watch a movie as a family. Lilly snuggled with Mal while Regina snuggled with Emma. Regina stroked Emma's hair as they watched the movie, her mind wandering off with thoughts on how to make the little one feel more at home. Suddenly, she had an idea. "Emma, honey?"

"Yes, mommy?" The girl asked with a yawn.

"Do you know what adoption is?"

Emma gave a nod and looked up at Regina. "It's when your foster parents decide to be your forever parents. It means they really want you and then you're really their family forever."

"That's right." Mal said, understanding what Regina was saying. "That's absolutely right."

"So, my little angel, how would you like it if Mama and I adopted you?"

Emma froze, her mouth opening in shock. "Really? You for real want to adopt me?"

Mal smiled. "Yes, baby. We for real want to adopt you."

The truth was, due to the magic, they didn't really have to do an adoption, but they'd go through a fake ceremony and a real party if it meant Emma would feel like she's part of the family.

"How do you adopt me?" Emma asked, sitting up more.

"Yeah, how do we dopt her?" Lilly asked.

Regina smiled and tapped both little noses. "Well, I get a special paper from work that says we adopted Emma and we are officially a real forever family. Then, we have a big party to celebrate."

"A party?!" Lilly asked, jumping excitedly. "Do we get presents?"

Mal chuckled. "Maybe, but mostly people just come to say how happy they are for Emma and for us as a family."

"When can we do it?" Emma asked.

"How about this weekend? That gives us four days to plan the party."

Emma smiled and hugged Regina tight and then Mal and finally Lilly. "I'm so 'cited to be in the family forever."

As the two little ones hugged, Mal smiled at Regina. "Good idea, baby."

"Thanks. Now, we have a grand party to plan."