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Chapter 4

Emma sighed as she sat in the bathroom next to the toilet. It had been three weeks since she was rescued and at first she had put her random sickness down to everything she went through, but now, she wasn't so sure. She had only told Archie the things David had done to her but now she knew she had to tell others. She only hoped they wouldn't be disgusted by her.

Regina had been staying most nights with the blonde as no one was pushing Emma to leave just yet and the blonde felt safe where she was. Henry had come to see his mom but after seeing just how hard it was for Emma to act normal, even he agreed to wait until she was stronger. Instead, he stayed at home with Cora, but sent letters with Regina to give to Emma.

Telling Henry the truth about everyone had gone surprisingly well. He was open to hearing the truth and it had actually made sense to him. As Emma was healing, he was getting to know his real grandmothers. Though he wanted his Ma home, h was glad to be included and to be told the truth of what was going on.

Emma came out of the bathroom, her hand on her stomach. "I need to go to the doctor."

Blue, who had been trying to get Emma to go to the doctor since her rescue, looked up. She and Regina had been quietly talking. "Of course. We can get you there right away. Are you okay?"

"What's wrong?" Regina asked with concern.

Emma sat on the bed next to Regina. "I need to tell you something. I've told Archie, but no one else…I've been too ashamed." She looked down. "When they had me, sometimes David would come alone. He'd degrade me, beat me, and end with raping me." She wiped her eyes and took a breath. "I never wanted it, I…I quit fighting him because it didn't do any good, but I didn't want it." She let more tears escape. "Now I think I'm pregnant." She had been acting so strong, but with those words, she started shaking and her tears fell harder. "I can't…I can not have his baby."

Regina wrapped her arms around Emma. "Oh love. You…if you are, you have choices."

"It's not fair!" Emma yelled, standing. Neither Regina nor Blue were surprised and didn't stop her. "I had to give my first baby up because I was framed and sent to jail. Now, I get pregnant from someone who hates and raped and beat me. Seriously, how is any of this fair?"

"It's not fair." Blue stated. "None of what has happened to you is fair. You have every right to be upset."

"Did you tell Ruby?" Regina asked quietly. "They'll need to add rape to his charges." Ruby and Thomas had taken over at the station until and if Emma came back.

Emma shook her head, hugging herself. "No, but I will." Her voice broke. "Regina? Please don't think differently of me. Please. I can't…"

Regina stood and went to Emma, cupping her face. "Listen to me, Emma. I love you. I love you with all that I am, and this changes nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing."

Emma let out a sob and fell into Regina's arms. Blue quietly excused herself to call and set up an appointment for Emma.

Dr. Kathryn Midas took a deep breath before coming int the room. It both angered and saddened her to see a shell of the woman she knew before all this. She sat next to Emma and took her hand. "I can't imagine how hard this was for you to do today, Emma, after all you've been through. You're not pregnant."

Emma let out a breath of relief. "Then why am I getting sick?"

"There's a lot that happens with the mind and body when someone has been through such trauma as yourself. Your mind still feels that you're in danger and you get sick – mainly in the mornings – because your body is tensing as it prepares itself for the day. Also, when nothing does happen, all the additional adrenaline your body created can make you sick." She took a breath. "There is something else though, Emma." She bit her lip. "I've put it in the report to Ruby but Emma…he…he did damage. Along with an internal infection, there was some ripping and tearing and now there's scar tissue and we will need to schedule a surgery if you even want a chance at having a baby one day." Kathryn hated that she had to have this conversation with Emma. If even half the rumors were true, and from what she could tell they were, Emma had already been through enough.

Emma swallowed a few times. "So even with surgery, it may not be possible?"

"We'll do the best we can, but I can't give you a one hundred percent…no matter how badly I want to."

"I understand." Emma said, though she was bubbling inside. "How soon do I need to have the surgery?"

"Soon, Emma. I'm hoping within the next three weeks as I want you to take some antibiotics first to get rid of the infection. Unless…unless it's something your mother can heal. I've hears she's amazing with healing potions."

"I haven't seen her yet." Emma admitted quietly. "I haven't felt up to it. I'm supposed t see Ingrid later today."

"I understand and I'm not trying to push you." Kathryn let out a breath. "I'm so sorry, Emma. You shouldn't be going through this. I'm going to also prescribe some meds t help relax your body; I still want you to do therapy, but this will also help."

Emma nodded and wiped at her eyes. "Thanks."

Blue waited in the station as Emma talked to both Thomas and Ruby. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything before. I was so ashamed and broken and well…I mean I still am, but I was also scared I was pregnant."

Ruby put her hand on Emma's. "Emma honey, you don't have a thing to be sorry for. You're the one who trained us that most times, things come out at different times. I'm just sorry this happened on top of everything else."

"I'm trying, Ruby. I'm trying so hard to get better, so you guys aren't working so hard."

This time Thomas reached out. "Emma sweetheart, please don't push yourself for us. Get better for you and on your time. Of course, we miss you, but we want you to take the time you need. Regina's been great with making sure we're okay."

Emma gave a small nod. "Have…have they said anything?" Emma tried hard to keep her eyes away from the cells as she asked.

"Yes, but it's all about how they're being framed and that it was all Fiona while Fiona says it was all them. We have more than enough evidence to implicate all of them, we're just waiting to see how the council is going to do this. We haven't had to have a major trial like this before."

Emma gave a nod. "That's what Regina said." She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I hate that instead of making me scared and upset at them, I'm scared and upset by my real mothers who had nothing to do with this. But…that's not your problem. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, Ems. We're here for you." Thomas assured her.

"He's right hun." Ruby said. "Now, go rest and if you think of anything else, just call us."

"Thank you so much."

As Emma and Blue approached the convent, Emma stopped and looked at her. "How long are you willing to put up with me?"

Blue was confused. "Emma, I'm only trying to help you."

"I know. I'm sorry if that came off as rude. I was just curious how long you were going to do that? Do I have a time limit?"

"No. Emma, you can stay here as long as you need to." She reached out and gently took Emma's arm. "Honey, you're not a bother or a burden and I'm not 'putting up with you'. I honestly want to help you and I don't care how long that takes."

Emma sniffed, not knowing why or how, but feeling close to the woman. "I just…oh Blue." She sobbed. "I want my moms. I want them so badly, but I'm terrified. I'm so scared to see them."

Blue held Emma close. "I know sweet girl. Archie, Regina and I will be with you when Ingrid comes. Meeting your other mother will be a little different because of the bond, but I really think that once you can get through this with Ingrid, you'll be ready for Maleficent. Fiona was horrible as her, so it's completely understandable why you'd be nervous. Emma, we all understand, and we all support you."

"I don't know what I did to deserve your kindness and help, but I really do appreciate it."

"Oh, sweet girl, you deserve this and more. I'm sorry that I didn't know. I wouldn't allow any of my Faye to do what they wanted, and I had no idea Fiona was even around."

"It's not your fault." Emma said. "Do you know my mom? Maleficent?"

"A bit. I've gotten to know her more since all this."

"Do you think she still wants me? Even after all this?"

"Yes. I can answer you with one hundred percent certainty that she wants you. She loves you, wants you, and cannot wait to hold you in her arms."

"Thank you so much. I mean it, I appreciate you so much."

"Come on, Emma, let's go get some lunch."

That afternoon, Emma's leg was bouncing as she sat next to Regina. "I can do this. I can do this. It wasn't her. I can do this." She told herself over and over.

Regina kissed Emma's hand. "You can do this, baby. I'm so proud of you."

"Just remember that if you need her to leave, you just say so." Archie reminded her. "She knows that may happen and she's okay with it."

Emma gave a nod. "She's okay with it not just being her and me?"

"Yes." Archie smiled softly. "She just wants to see you."

There was a soft knock at the door and Emma's grip tightened on Regina's hand. "C…come in." She said with a shaking voice.

Blue came in first and smiled before stepping aside and letting Emma see Ingrid. Ingrid looked so full of hope as she looked at Emma. "Oh, baby girl."

Emma stiffened at first, gasping as she saw her mother. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. "I'm sorry…don't go…just…I'm sorry."

Ingrid's heart broke for her daughter. She kept her voice soft and low. "Emma sweetheart take your time. I don't want to push you so if you want me to go, I will."

"Don't go." Emma said, still trying to get her breathing under control. "Ingrid…tell me something they wouldn't know. A memory or something. I…I need to know it's really you."

Blue brought a chair over and Ingrid sat. She was so close to her daughter but felt so far away. She thought hard and then smiled softly. "Remember when you turned fourteen about three weeks after you came to me? We had a nice dinner and party with everyone at the house but remember earlier? I came up to your room with a secret special cake and gift at 12:01 am and sang Happy Birthday to you. I wanted to make you happy so when you started crying, I felt terrible. You said you were crying because it was the first cake you ever had for your birthday since you were three. I remember through out that day, you kept telling me how much it meant to you."

Emma had tears falling from her closed eyes and she reached forward and took Ingrid's hands. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked at the woman in front of her. "Mom…" She cried and Ingrid couldn't help but move closer to her. She wrapped Emma in her arms and was glad that Emma didn't fight her. "I'm sorry I believed them."

Ingrid shook her head as she held her daughter and cupped her cheek. "Don't you dare apologize for anything. Emma, you are not at fault."

Regina moved a bit so Ingrid could sit next to Emma and was glad the blonde was letting her mother hold her. Emma held tight to Ingrid. "I knew it wasn't you. A part of me just knew it but it's hard after being broken to keep that thought alive."

"I know, sweetie." She rubbed Emma's back. "Honey, no one is upset with you. Please baby, please try to breathe." She pressed her forehead to Emma's and breathed with her. "I love you so much. Your Mama loves you so much. I know it's hard to believe after what you went through, but you are loved."

Emma slowed her breathing down. "Mama doesn't hate me?"

"Of course not. She's been watching you and cannot wait to see you."

Emma glanced towards the mirror and then back at Ingrid. "I want to see her. I want to meet her. I…I think I need to in order to get through this."

Ingrid nodded, running her fingers through Emma's hair. "You just say when, sweetheart, and we'll set it up."

Emma swallowed. "Now."

"I'm on it." Regina said, squeezing Emma's shoulder before going to Maleficent. "Did you hear that? She wants to meet you."

Mal smiled through her tears. "I'm so ready." She looked to Cora who was there with her. "I'm going to see my baby."

"You are. She's a sweet thing." Cora said, feeling a tear in her own eyes. "Can…would you mind if I watched?"

"I don't care at all." The three of them went to the woods and Maleficent went in the trees as Emma, Ingrid, Blue, and Archie showed up.

"Is she here?" Emma asked Regina, still holding Ingrid's hand.

"Yes. We're going to stay back here, but you and Ingrid go on int the clearing." Regina said softly. "I'm so proud of you."

Emma swallowed and faced the clearing, squeezing Ingrid's hand as they took a couple steps. "Mama?" Emma said, her eyes darting around. Her breathing got heavier as a shadow started moving towards them. She could soon make out curly blonde hair, ice blue eyes, and a woman a little taller than her. Something stirred inside her and Ingrid noticed Emma's eyes turning the same shade of green as Mal's did just before she shifted.

"You've got this." Ingrid said, letting go of Emma's hand.

Emma's eyes locked onto Mal's but she didn't feel fear or anger, she felt…alive. "Mama. I feel…"

"Let it happen, baby." Maleficent said softly. "Just let it happen." She proudly watched as Emma stopped fighting and let instinct take over. Before her stood a beautiful, emerald green dragon and Mal shifted herself. She smiled as her daughter came to her and she pressed her forehead against Emma's.

"That's the bond." Cora whispered, emotional over what she was seeing. "The mother dragon would press her head t her baby to give them the knowledge of their kind."

"It works the other way too." Blue whispered. "While Mal is transferring knowledge to Emma, Emma is transferring memories to Maleficent. She may not even know she's doing it."

A roar from deep inside Emma came out and everyone felt the emotions. Mal followed and before they knew it, the two were in the sky. Ingrid smiled, wiping at her eyes. "Emma accepted the bond." Everyone was feeling better as they headed back to the convent.

When Emma and Mal were alone, they shifted, and Emma hugged her mother tightly. She cried and let out her sadness as Maleficent did the same, rubbing her daughter's back. "I love you so much. I always have and I always will. Nothing can take my love away."

"I can feel it. I feel it deep inside. I love you so much, Mama." Her face soon turned angry. "I want to rip them apart! Mama, I want to kill them!"

"I know." Maleficent stated, sending calming magic through to Emma. "I know baby, but we can't just yet. Look, if neither of us like the punishment the council comes up with, I will find a way to take Snow and David to the Enchanted Forest and we can play with them. Fiona is a bit harder, but we will deal with her too."

Emma smiled a bit. "Promise?"

"I swear it." Maleficent said, cupping Emma's cheek. "You are so beautiful." Her brows knit and she ran her hand down to Emma's stomach. "There's something going on here. Something not good."

Emma looked down. "He…he raped me and ruined me. I have to have surgery to fix what he did."

Maleficent grit her teeth and closed her eyes. Emma gasped as she felt the warmth inside. "Now you don't. You're fully healed my love. No infection, nothing."

Emma hugged Maleficent tightly. "Thank you." She stood back. "Can you take my memories too?"

Maleficent stroked Emma's cheek. "I can't, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Emma. All of this happened just because you're my daughter and I'm so sorry."

Emma shook her head. "It wasn't because of you; it was because of them. They're evil; truly evil. They used Regina to get the attention off of them."

"I know sweetheart."

"Why aren't you more upset?"

"I am. I'm furious but I'm also so happy to be standing with my baby girl. I'm so proud of the woman in front of me. I'm just too happy to let the anger get to me."

Emma smiled softly. "I'm so glad I decided to do this. I wish I'd have done it sooner; I was just scared."

"I completely understand my love. I didn't want to push you, but I'm so happy you are ready now."

An hour later, the two went back to the convent and Ingrid wrapped her arms around both women, Emma in the middle. Emma had never before felt so loved, so safe, and so wanted.