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Chapter 11

Emma finished the last of her work for the day and looked at the clock. Since the club was closed and they had plans that evening, Emma had decided to work in the spare office next to Regina's. She went into Regina's office and sat on the edge of her desk. "I'm done a bit early."

"Great." Regina said, clicking off her computer. "Because we have someone meeting us now." She smiled at Emma. "It's a surprise."

Before Emma could respond, there was a knock on the door and Jenny brought in a woman. "Regina, Emma, Stacie said she was expected?"

"Hey Stacie." Emma said, a bit confused. "I thought we had a home visit tomorrow?"

The last month had been busy for Regina and Emma as they decided to start the process of foster care and the court cases were starting to be scheduled. Emma and Regina's background checks went through with flying colors and even though it wasn't needed, Emma also submitted a letter of recommendation from Dr. Nolan. She explained everything about her past, court, dancing, everything and was surprised they still wanted her as a foster carer. For Regina, she was learning to give Mal more work and doing less late-night things at the club while negotiations were being made with both Mal and Zelena to be co-owners.

"Actually, we did that earlier when I took lunch." Regina stated with a smile. "Come sit, Stacie."

"Thank you. Yes, I had the home visit and you both passed. I know you both have a few hours still of classes, but let's be honest, we're desperate and you two are checking every single box. We also have a little girl who's ready to be discharged and is adamant about coming to stay with you two." She said with a smile.

"Maddie." Emma said with her own smile. "I never should have said anything but I did tell her I have no control over where she goes."

"I know that, but she's right. You'd both be perfect for her. Emma, you know what she's going through and Regina, you know how to comfort her like you have Emma. The room you have is all ready for her and my supervisors and I agree that we can give you temporary placement of her until you are fully licensed and then be her permanent foster carers. Am I right to assume you're both okay with long term? I hate to say this, but she's too old to push for adoption and going back home is out of the question."

"So, we wouldn't be able to adopt her one day?" Emma asked. Even though she grew up in the system, things were different now and it was different being on the other side.

"You can if you all agree to it one day, but as of right now, the plan for Madison is long term fostering. After what she's been through, we don't want something like a 'timeline' ruining her recovery. There will be ups and downs, though I'm sure I don't have to tell you that."

"I've explained to Regina how the 'honey moon' period works." Emma stated. "I told her it's actually a good sign when any potential child starts acting out because it means they're comfortable. However, with some foster kids, they come in testing from day one and I get it. I was there. It got to the point where it was a waste of time to be good because the minute you messed up, you were gone. May as well get it over with."

Regina shook her head. "I hate that you and others are and have gone through that. It's heartbreaking." She looked at Stacie. "We get that not all matches are right, but this feels so right. We have no expectations from her other than hopefully her letting us love her."

"That's good." Stacie said with a smile. "Then I am happy for you two to pick her up from the hospital tonight and take her home." She said, handing over some paperwork. "You're still expected to finish classes, but I have no doubts that you'll be able to."

"Wait, tonight? For real?" Emma asked with a smile. "She is ours as of tonight?"

"That's right. She's been cleared to be discharged so you can get her as soon as I leave. She is still healing, so we have decided home school is what is best for her. Will that work for you?"

"Yes." Regina said. "Emma can work from home, and I'll be getting more time off."

"That's great. Don't change too much because it's important she doesn't have all the attention on her. Too much isn't always a good thing."

"Exactly. She'll still need time to be herself. It's exhausting when you come into foster care. Trying to please all the time wears on you. However, she will know we're there for her."

Stacie smiled and put the signed paperwork back in her bag. "I honestly have never felt more certain about a placement in my life. I'll be by tomorrow just to check on things with her social worker. If you need anything, just call me. I'm here for you, Jaymee is here for Maddie."

"Sounds great." Regina said, standing. "Thank you so much."

"What about Penny?" Emma asked as she had asked about the older girl from the group home as well. "We have two rooms."

"Yes, and we are checking that out. The problem is, she's a bit reserved on going with a family. We felt it best that you three get settled first."

"I understand and I know you're right, I just don't want her to lose hope."

After Stacie left, Emma grinned and hugged Regina. "Let's go get her now! Maybe she'll want to join the dance class."

"We can ask, but be ready for her to say no."

"I know and that's fine. Yes, I wanted to be there on their first night, but Maddie comes first."

The two made their way to the hospital and smiled as they came into the room. "Emma! Regina! I get to come home with you!"

"Yes, you do!" Regina said, hugging the girl. "We couldn't be happier."

"Now, we have a room for you, but we want to know what you need or want in it, so there's a notebook and pen on the desk for you to make a list. Clothes, toys, paint colors, whatever you want, you put on that list, and we'll see what we can do."

"I don't need anything, I just wanna be with you guys."

"Well, it's there if you change your mind." Emma said. "Do you have clothes?"

"Just a few. Jaymee is going to bring what she has of mine tomorrow, but it isn't much." She admitted. "But it's okay; you don't need to get me more."

"Are you kidding?" Regina laughed. "I cannot wait to take you shopping. I have far too many clothes, so it'll be nice to get you things. But don't worry, I will do my best to not overwhelm you."

"Okay Maddie, it's time." The nurse said with a smile. "We're going to miss you, but we're so happy for you. We all know how much it means to you to be going with Regina and Emma."

Once in the car, Emma turned towards the back. "So, you don't have to but some of our friends are doing a dance class with the girls who were in that house with you and we were wondering if you'd want to join them?"

Maddie smiled softly. "Sure. That sounds fun. I miss Penny. She was so good at comforting us when we were upset." She bit her lip nervously. "But um…if I get there and decide I don't want to be there, will you get mad?"

"Not at all. Honey, I understand. If seeing them brings back bad memories, we don't want you to push yourself. Just be honest with us." Regina said.

"You won't send me back?"

Emma had been waiting for that question. "No. Baby, I know it's hard…well actually, it's impossible to believe right now, but we are not sending you back. I know the only way to prove that is by showing you, but we can tell you as well."

"We're not in this to find the perfect child because we'd never have a child then. No one is perfect, but we don't want perfect. We want you, Maddie. You are perfect for us."

"We're not going to be perfect either." Emma added to Regina's statement. "All we can do is be open and honest with each other."

Maddie nodded and looked back out the window. She had heard all of this before but was trying to believe them. "You two are perfect." She added quietly.

"Now, I know you said you have some clothes, but we should really stop for some pajamas and a change of clothes before your social worker comes tomorrow." Emma stated. "Is that okay?"

"Sure." Maddie said. "But don't spend too much and I'll do chores to make up for it."

Regina parked and turned to face Maddie. "You may have chores down the line, but honey, don't you worry about how much we spend."

Emma wanted to be open and honest. "Maddie, you know the system just like I did. You know we get paid for having you, we get money for your clothes and all that. The thing is, we don't need extra money, so anything we get for you will be spend on you or saved for you."

"You're not doing this for money?"

"No honey. We're doing this for you." Regina said with a smile. "The minute we met you, I knew you were meant to be with us. I just hope we can make you happy."

"You already are." Maddie said and smiled.

"Okay, let's get going."

After about another hour of shopping and eating, they loaded the bags in the car and headed out. "So, if you decide you don't want to do this, just tell us." Regina stated as she parked at Grace's studio.

"Emma! You made it!" Ruby said with a smile as she hugged her friend. "Boss lady too!"

Regina grinned and rolled her eyes. "Good to see you, too." She looked around. "Who's all here?"

"Lilly, Zelena, Ella, and Mal are in the locker room, Grace is in her office, and the girls aren't here yet. Regina, are you going to join? Rumor has it, you were hot stuff back in your day."

Regina rose a brow. "Were? Back in my day? Tell me Ruby, are you trying to get fired?"

"No! I just meant that I heard that before Emma, no one made money like you did. Mal the Dragon was close, but The Evil Queen was top seller."

"Yes well, The White Swan has beat my record."

"Evil Queen? White Swan? Are you guys actresses?" Maddie asked making Ruby chuckle.

"Kind of, kid. We all have our parts and we…dance to them. I'm Ruby the Wolf, Zelena is the Wicked Witch, Lilly is Dorothy, Ella is Cinderella, Emma is the White Swan, though I think some call her Swan Princess, and Regina was the Evil Queen."

"That's cool. I wanna be Ursula!"

Emma chuckled. "You wanna be a villain and not a princess?"

"That's my girl." Regina said when Maddie nodded. "Let's go get changed and start stretching."

Maddie was stretching her legs and laughing with Zelena and Ruby when the door opened and the other girls came in. "Maddie!" They yelled and they all came over to hug her.

"Oh Maddie, I've been worried about you." Penny stated. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I was in the hospital but now I get to live with Emma and Regina!"

Emma noticed the jealous look Penny got, but quickly covered with a smile. "That's great, Maddie. I told you that you'd still find a family."

"So will you." Maddie said, but Emma saw the sad look on Penny's face. She was sixteen and Emma knew she had no hope left. It took all she had to not say something to her.

"Penny, I got an outfit for you." Lilly said with a smile. "I was told you were tall for your age, and so was I so this should fit perfectly."

It was honestly cute how naturally the girls split up with different dancers, Regina noticed as she looked around. Emma had Maddie and Viviana, the two youngest, while Lilly was amazing with Penny and Hailey, the two oldest, and those between were with Zelena, Ella, and Ruby. After they were all stretched out, Grace got started with the choreography. She was amazing with the girls and by the end of the first hour, the girls were pros and laughing and Emma couldn't be happier.

As Emma was leaving the changing room, she smiled when she saw Penny give Lilly a hug. "Thank you so much. Being here with you guys and having fun made me forget everything for an hour. You all are so kind."

Lilly smiled softly back. "I've been in your shoes…well maybe not as extreme, but I was in foster care. I'm glad we could do something to make you happy."

"Are…are you allowed to come visit us?"

"Yes. I am and I plan on doing that often. Emma's not the only one who can try to help you guys out."

Penny smiled. "Good. I'd really like that."

It took about twenty minutes to get the girls back in the van as they were all hugging everyone and saying goodbye. Maddie took Emma's hand. "I'm glad I get to go with you guys."

Emma and Regina said goodbye to the others and headed home with Maddie. "Maddie, I know this is the first day, but my mother will be at my place to meet you. Unfortunately, we have some court cases this week and my mom and Lilly are both vetted to be able to watch you while we're gone, but Lilly had some personal things to do this week."

"Okay." Maddie said, biting her lip. "Emma, is it against the bad guys?"

"Well, you know that some of the bad guys are pleading guilty so we don't have to go to their trials. Tomorrow, my old foster carer is going to be in court. She is also pleading guilty, but I want to be there to give a victim statement. I mean, sure, she's pleading guilty and giving names, but what she did to me really affected me and I want the judge to know that."

"They asked me if I wanted to do a victims statement for the guys pleading guilty. They said they could record it, so I didn't have to actually be there. Emma can…can I see your statement? I don't know what to say in mine."

Emma looked at Regina for a moment. "It's not that I don't want you to, I just don't know that I want you to hear the other things in the court."

"So we will talk to Alex and see if you can come in just while Emma gives her statement."

"I'll call her while you introduce her to your mother." Emma said with a smile.

"Okay great. Everyone grab two bags and we'll team work everything inside."

Once inside, Regina first showed Maddie her room and asked if she wanted help unpacking.

"Can I leave it for later? I'm kinda tired."

"Of course. Let's go see what my mom made for dinner." She lead the way to the kitchen. "Oh and honey, this is your home now so please make yourself comfortable. Mother, this is Maddie, Maddie, this is Cora."

"Hello Mrs. Mills." Maddie said with a smile.

Cora smiled back. "Hello sweetheart. Please, you can call me Cora. Mrs. Mills is too formal."

Emma came in and sat at the counter. "Alex said if you and Cora come tomorrow, she will have the security guard tell you when I'll be giving my statement and you two can go in then."

"Oh? For your statement?" Cora asked, finishing up the salad to go with her homemade soup. "I'm not going to lie, I'm glad I'll be able to hear it."

"Yes. Maddie has been asked to record one, so she wants to see mine first." Emma looked at Maddie. "You'll hear things and probably see me cry, but I think it's important to see that you're not alone."

Maddie put her hand on Emma's. "You can cry, Emma and when you're done, Regina and I will help you to stop crying."

That night, the four had fun just getting to know Maddie and being with each other. Cora stayed the night and went to bed as Regina and Emma tucked in Maddie.

"Curtains closed, lights on low, anything else sweetheart?" Regina asked as she sat on the edge of the bed. "We're right across the hall."

Maddie shook her head. "Thank you for everything. I really think I'm going to like it here. I already think I love you guys."

Emma stroked Maddie's cheek and kissed her forehead. "I feel the same, baby girl. Please, if you need anything, don't be scared to ask."

"If I have a nightmare, just ignore me and I'll fall back to sleep."

"I won't ignore you, ever." Regina said, also kissing her forehead. "Don't worry honey, nightmares are unfortunately a part of life."

"Especially when what happened is so new. It will get better."

That night as Emma lay in Regina's arms, she couldn't stop her nerves. "I just…I'm scared I'm either going to ramble or go too fast that I won't say what I want to say."

"Then ramble. Baby there's no time limit and it's important that you get out of it what you need. This time is for you, my love, take it."

Regina sat up straight as she heard the small scream from across the hall. She saw that Emma didn't hear it, so she quietly got out of bed and put her robe on, making her way to Maddie's room. She quickly went to the flailing and still crying girl and wrapped her in her arms. She fought against her to keep her held tight. "Maddie sweetie, it's Regina. You're safe, my darling, wake up." She said calmly. "I've got you; it's okay."

Maddie's whimpers turned into cries as she woke up and felt Regina's arms around her. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't send me back."

Regina rubbed Madison's back and kissed her temple. "Shh, darling. Don't you worry, you're not being sent back. Now, just close your eyes and take deep soothing breaths. You're safe."

"Can you please stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Yes of course." Regina said, shifting so they were both comfortable. "I'm right here."

Emma smiled from the doorway before going back to bed. Regina had it under control, and she wanted to give them time.

The next morning, Emma was quiet and didn't eat much, but neither Regina nor Cora said anything. They knew her nerves were on high and to just let her be. Maddie, however, was scared she did something. "Emma? Are you mad because Regina came and slept by me last night? I only asked her to stay until I fell back to sleep."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm not mad at all. I'm glad Regina was able to comfort you. I'm just really nervous about today."

Maddie took Emma's hand. "You're so strong. You'll be okay because you have us."

"Thank you, baby." Emma said, tapping her nose.

At the courthouse, Emma and Regina left Cora and Maddie in the lobby as they went into the room. Emma tried to keep up with what was going on, but it didn't seem that exciting. Maggie plead guilty and after the judge verified, everything, she began the sentencing hearing. "I understand we have the…I'm sorry, but I hate the word 'victim', so we have the survivor here to give a survivor's statement."

Emma heard the doors open as she was walking up to the podium and knew Maddie and Cora would be sitting by Regina. "Thank you, your honor." Emma said as she made it to the stand. "I'm here today to give a statement about what happened to me when I was young." Emma started, reading her papers. She then looked at Maggie and the judge. "I um…I have a whole thing written out, but it feels fake so I'll just speak from the heart. Recently, Maggie has admitted everything she did, she gave names, she agreed to keep me anonymous, and has been working with the A.D.A. to help. That's all great and has made this easier, but it doesn't take away what happened. What those men did to me was terrible, hurtful, damaging, and unforgettable however, what she did to me was much worse. It's one thing to be hurt by strangers, but to be set up and hurt by someone you trust is catastrophically worse. I was ten when I entered the foster system and by the time I was 15, I had been through so much. I trusted no one and loved no one. Then Maggie came into my life and I honestly thought I had finally struck gold. The first night a man came into my room and raped me, I didn't cry because of him or that pain, but because Maggie was the one doing this to me. I loved her…" Emma wiped at a tear. "I loved her, trusted her, and never thought she'd hurt me like that. She took a vulnerable, hurt, innocent girl and ruined her. It took so long to finally start to trust anyone again after her. I was homeless, friendless, living in shelters because of the hole she left in my heart and my life. She didn't even come in to comfort me afterwards. I'm thankful for all she's doing to help now, but…I mean it's too late. I already had to pick myself up and do everything I could to fix myself alone because I was given to someone who completely broke me when she was supposed to help me. I've come far; I've done the work, but I still don't trust easily, I still have nightmares, I still feel like a broken little girl at times, and I blame her for that. Yes, what the men did was terrible in it's own right, but what she did was much, much worse. I understand her getting a smaller sentence because of the help she gave, but let's be honest, I wouldn't be here if she never did this to me in the first place." She sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "I recently took in a little one who has gone through much the same but at a younger age. I cannot, for any reason, see how someone in the same position as me could to that to a child they are supposed to protect, love, and nurture. I cannot imagine allowing anyone to hurt my little one, and it makes me physically sick to think she got paid to let others hurt me." She looked at Maggie. "I loved you. I really did love you, but you hurt me so bad. I'm sorry, but I hope you pay for it."

Maggie wiped her eyes, trying not to cry because Emma was right about everything.

"Thank you for your time, your honor." Emma said, before going to sit down. Regina put her arm around her and Maddie held her hand.

"Thank you, Ms. Swan." The judge said, clearing her throat as she felt emotional as well. "Margaret Stemps, please stand." When she was standing, the judge went on. "You have plead guilty and while I commend you for that, Emma's words ring so true; the damage is done." In the end, Maggie got a full sentence of 20 years.

Maggie turned before they took her. "Emma, I am so sorry. I know I was so wrong, and I can never say how sorry I am."

Emma looked at her and gave a little nod before looking away. She'd deal with that at another time. She looked at Regina, Cora, and Maddie. "Let's go to lunch."

Brown eyes watched the blonde leave with her family and after a bit, he left following them. No one said it outright, but it was obvious to him and his boss that Emma was the reason the ring was found out and Emma would be the one to pay for it.