Chapter 42

"How is she doing?"

"Well…everything seems to be normal with the baby so nothing to worry about there yet. But as for her, she needs to take care of her health. I believe she's not eating properly and probably taking up too much stress which could complicate things in the future" informed Dr. Whale to the people present in the room.

"I assure you doctor she will be fine in couple of days now her mother is here to take care of her" Cora replied back.

"Well, that's good to hear you came in at the right time. I will like you to sign few papers than you guys can take her home and make sure she rests and takes care of herself" the doctor warned before he left the mother and daughter alone for the time being.

Cora smiled to herself a small smile as she looked over Regina's unconscious form lying on the hospital bed.

"My poor baby, everything will be alright now I am here. I won't let anyone hurt you especially those Nolans' " Cora said as she roamed her hand over Regina's hair, softly.

At the exact moment Belle barged into the room with Ruben and Kara behind her behind her.

"Mrs Mills?...I wasn't aware of your arrival?" Ruben approached as he looked at Regina's mother and then at Belle who gave him a shocked look.

Cora then smiled at her guests and raised her eyebrows when she noticed Kara's presence she raised her eyebrows with an amused smile on her face.

"Mr. Lucas, when I learned about where my daughter was I had to come and find her. As you can see her being away from her family has caused to her to end up in the hospital" coincidentally Cora had arrived an hour after Regina was brought in to the hospital. She had straight on gone to the mansion where Regina was residing with Emmett and learned what had happened to her daughter and came quickly over to see her daughter. Zelena was at the moment staying at their booked hotel waiting for Cora to arrive with Regina.

"What do you mean?" Belle asked not liking where this conversation was headed.

Cora couldn't help but smile at their confused looks even more. "My meaning being, I'm here to take Regina back to Storybrooke, she needs to be with her family not over working herself in this condition"

All three of them were now shocked and looking over to each other with defeated looks. They didn't know what to respond to that decision of Cora's. They couldn't do anything about it right now not unless Regina would soon wake up.

Without another word from both sides Belle quickly grabbed both the arms of Ruben and Kara and lead them outside the room.

"We can't let her do that. We need to find a way to get her out of Regina's sight for now" Belle said with a panicked look in her eyes, Regina would be even more stressed and devastated if she were to learn that Cora was already here and haven't even wasted anytime finding her.

"I bet she would love to meet Robin's parents, don't you think so Belle?" Ruben asked as a plan formed into his mind.

Both Kara and Belle looked at him with curiosity. "So he does exist huh? And has a connection to the Mills somehow, I presume." Kara finally spoke her mind and thoughts running through her mind all this time.

"Ruben!" Belle whispered loudly and punched his arm lightly and glared at her lover. Ruben just stared at her quizzically.

"What?!" Ruben also whispered yelled back at her and held his hands up in question.

"Guys! Relax, I won't tell anybody. This will stay between us." Kara laughed at the scene in front of her.

"There's no need to hide anything. I already know what I need to know about you Kara Danvers. She does like her lovers young and good looking, am I right Miss Danvers?" Ruben teased Kara with a knowing smirk on his face. Belle was again confused with her lovers' words and Kara was looking at him with wife eyes as she slowly felt anger and jealousy rise up in herself.

"Don't you-" she didn't get to finish her threat cause Ruben started laughing at her expression.

"Hey relax Kara I was just messing around" Ruben defended himself and had his hands up for the gesture.

"Cat and I are friend if you want to call it that and if you have been in contact with her then you would have known that Cat has already told me everything and trust me when I found out why you were here for I wasn't really happy about it. I think you really need to catch up with Cat and stop pretending to be Regina's friend" Ruben spoke with certainty.

He then looked toward Belle whose expression told him she was hurt Ruben had hidden this from her. Before Ruben could come up with any excuse she quickly reentered herself in the room not giving him a chance to speak.

Ruben let out a defeated sigh and looked towards Kara who was now calm but looked sad.

"Look, can you please just sort out whatever the hell is going on between you and Cat. After that come find me and we will talk more about Cora. Understood?" Kara didn't say anything she just nodded her head in agreement and stayed out outside as Ruben also went inside Regina's hospital room.

Once inside again, Ruben found both Cora and Belle sitting beside Regina's bed on the opposite sides of each other and with a dead silence creeping around the room.

Ruben gave one last look towards Belle who didn't bother looking at him, Ruben just let out another defeated breath.

"Mrs. Mills, I am aware as to why you are here. Surely you would love to meet Mr. & Mrs. Nolan's and talk some things through?" Ruben suggested as he glanced towards Regina for a quick second and back at Cora.

After few minutes of contemplating what Ruben had suggested Cora agreed and yes she was aware what was going on but she didn't want to miss this easy opportunity to meet the Nolan's as all.

After leaving Regina in the care of Belle and Kara who had joined Belle as well right after Ruben and Cora stepped out to leave for the Nolan's.

Cora and Ruben didn't discuss or even tried to start any sort of conversation during the ride for the Nolan's residence. The two hours were torture for Ruben, he hated uncomfortable silence and on top of that he did not trust this woman. On the other hand Cora was completely the opposite, eager to meet the Nolan's and make them pay for what their son did to her daughter.

Soon they were sitting and waiting for the Nolan's in the large office room. Cora impressed with what the mansion offered in it view and scenery. Still it didn't put her off or surprised her, she had expected nothing less from them.

Once the Nolan's arrived into the office, they looked over to whom Ruben had brought in without giving them prior knowledge of their arrival. They both looked at Cora with confusion surely it wasn't any one they knew from their business.

"Ruben, if this is something Mary can handle then I would like to be excused from this meeting" David spoke as he turned to leave out the closed door.

Ruben getting quickly to his feet when he saw David's retreating back, "Mr. Nolan! Believe when I say this requires both of your attention at the very moment"

Cora was just sitting there watching the interaction going between them and waited for them all to just sit down and get down to business like she had hoped.

Soon all of them were sitting down and facing each other from the opposite seats. Ruben fidgeting with nervousness on how to approach Emmet's parent about this situation and David and Mary still waiting for Ruben to say something more about the woman sitting in front of them who seemed to having herself made at home in their office.

"I-This-is-"Ruben was definitely having hard time starting this conversation and them all three staring at him and waiting for him to finish was not helping.

Cora rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh at the idiot's reaction to the Nolan's.

"What your vice president trying to say is that my name is Cora Mills as in Regina Mills mother and I am here to take Regina back but before I do that there is something really important that we need to discuss since it requires one of your sons" Cora spoke with confidence and authority not backing down from anyone ever.

David already being at the edge of this whole ordeal was getting annoyed with the mere presence of this woman and Mary was still confused as to what was going on and why was one of her son involved in with this woman and her daughter.

"What do you mean one of our sons? Try to make yourself clear, Mrs. Mills. I do not condone wasting time for worthless conversations" David let out. For some reason he wanted this woman out of his mansion as soon as possible, not feeling any good about her being here.

"David! Do not be rude to our guest!" Mary said with wide eyes staring at her husband and surprised at his harsh tone.

Cora couldn't help but smile a devilish smile and looked toward Ruben who was just waiting for someone to just get him out of the damn room.

"Let me say what I really want from you people, I want your son, Emmett Swan Nolan, to marry my daughter, Regina Mills" Cora cleared laid it out, not giving a warning or holding back what she came here to do.

David now reaching his limits to control his temper quickly rose from his chair and glared dead in Cora's eyes and spoke out in anger.

"I will not let you come into my home and expect us to listen to your pathetic ideas and use our son as a bait to gain fame and money. I expect you to leave now before I call in security and have you kicked out of here, your daughter might not appreciate the gesture"

Both Mary and Ruben had also gotten up the moment David got to his feet and both were looking between the two individuals with worry.

"I would like to know why would you come into our home with such a proposal, your daughter works for our family and we have no attention of having her join our family in any way" Mary finally spoke, trying to let the tension lay down a little.

Cora then at last got up from her seat and looked at all the other three individuals present. Her eyes then landed on Ruben with a smirk on her face.

"Would you like to tell them or shall I?" Cora asked as she looked at Ruben fallen face.

Both Mary and David then turned their attention towards Ruben waiting for him to finally say something, anything to end this madness of a conversation taking place in their office.

Mary then walked up to Ruben and put her hand on his bicep and made him face her. "Ruben, please…will you let us know why is this women demanding such a thing from us?"

Ruben quickly averted his eyes away not being able to look at Mary, his guilt for hiding this from his best friend and his parents since for the past few days he had come to know about it.

"I am sure you guys remember the last trip I took with Emmett to storybrooke" they both then nodded their head in agreement. "Well it turned out that Robin was there as well" at the mention of Robin Mary's eyes lit up with happy tears running down her cheeks and David shocked at this information being revealed to him so late.

"Oh come on Ruben, why not tell them the best part of their dear son being present in my town….hmm?"Cora taunted.

"Well….the reason we couldn't get access to the Mills land was because—because Robin had actually gained access to the files through fake marriage and fraud" Ruben continued as he watched his best friends parents at the verge of being shattered, especially Mary.

"But-but…he's already married…. no Ruben I do not believe my son would do such a thing. Take this woman with you right now before I fire you from this company and out of my son's life" David threaten having enough of both of their nonsense against his son. He admits he doesn't always agree with Robin but that does not give anyone the right to accuse his son of something so low.

"No…you listen to me now, my daughter is pregnant with your son's child and you better believe he did fraud my daughter into marrying him for her property and also leaving here stranded in damn hotel with his seed inside her. So no matter what you wish to believe, the truth is my daughter's life is ruined because your son's selfishness. And I am here to make you all pay for ruining her"

After Cora's outburst, all of them were silent and the two individuals were still processing what they had just heard. Mary being in shock couldn't handle to stand anymore so decided to sit back down on her seat. David letting out a defeated sigh sat down as well. There was no way he was going to let some woman come in and accuse their family of anything of the sort. He will get to the bottom of this.

"The only way I would believe such a story is with any proof that my son had done such a thing to your daughter and your family" David spoke out after few minutes of silence.

"You can not force this marriage on me, she's carrying Robin's child this is clearly not right and against our wishes-you have to understand!" Emmet tried to reason out. "Mother" he looked at Mary then to his father. At their unmoved expression he let out a deep sigh and exited out of the study room. Things were not going the way he had planned.

Before he walked out of the room though he spoke one last time. "If you expect me to go through this marriage then hear this I'll give our family name to her child but she won't ever mean anything more to me than just my secretary. Good bye mother...father"

"Em-" Mary tried to call out to her son but was too late because Emmett had already walked out of the room. She quickly got up from her chair and started to walk out of the room as well but not before David interrupted.

"Don't...Mary, -sigh- just let him be. He needs time to calm down and think this through, I am sure our son will see reason soon enough" David tried to reassure his wife with a smile but that still didn't help ease Mary's heart.

"I don't understand why do we have to listen to that woman, David. She's clearly ruining both of their lives. This is our son we are talking about, he's already been through enough why are you pushing him into a loveless marriage and add to his pain?" Mary pleaded with her husband, trying to see the reason or logic behind this entire charade. Her younger son was keeping on making mistakes over and over again and older one kept on cleaning up his messes, she couldn't help but feel guilty.

"We have no choice, Snow" David spoke softly and with a defeated look in his eyes.

They couldn't help but stay silent and let the silence consume them. Both afraid to loose their son.

"Ruben, do you have something against that bitch by now?" Emmett asked as he rushed into his best friends office room.

"Whoa man. Calm down! And as for your question I have nothing on her. That woman is a one clever woman"

"What do you mean?"

"Well for starters, in case you have forgotten, her daughter is carrying Robin's child if this were to get out to the press, the company could take a fatal hit over this even though Robin has no connection to the company yet, the family name attached to him is enough" Ruben explained to his friend.

"I can't agree to this, no no no I can't do this Ruben" Emmett felt trapped. He knew his family mattered more to him than anything and this company his father build with his own blood and sweat, he couldn't be selfish and disregard all the hard work his parents have done to provide for him and his siblings.

"I don't know what to do Ruben" Emmett finally spoke with a defeated voice, he felt exhausted just thinking about what he has gotten into.

"You know since the day I have met her, she's been nothing but a headache to me and problem initiator in my life...and now I'm going to be stuck with her with a bond of marriage. Can you fucking believe this shit?" Emmett was furious now. To him this was all Regina's fault.

"That's some bullshit I hear from you, Nolan" Ruben spoke with some venom in his voice.

Emmett couldn't help but feel confused at the tone. "What the hell you say to me?"

"According to you this is all her fault, not your shit of a brothers' ?Huh?" Ruben pointed out the obvious.

Emmett quickly got up on Ruben's face and grabbed his collars and pulled him up from his chair and to his feet. "Don't you dare insult me or my brother over someone like her! Is that clear, Ruben?" He shook him a little for the emphasis.

Ruben in return grabbed at Emmett's hands around his neck collar and shoved them off of him. It caused Emmett to take a step back, Ruben then took a step up to Emmett and stared into his eyes.

"No I don't think I need any clearing out here. It's you who needs to see which side is wrong here. Your brother did a fake marriage with her and screwed her over just for her money-now you tell me why is it this time you are having trouble cleaning up his mess? You been always excellent at doing it for him before this" Ruben couldn't keep it in anymore, he wanted his friend to see the real problem behind this whole thing, if it wasn't for Robin his friend wouldn't be stuck in this situation now.

Emmett couldn't help but feel even more furious at his friend.

"You know being angry at me is not going to solve anything rather you should search for your pathetic excuse of a brother and his actually wife" Ruben had noticed the angry expression on his friend's face and also knew if he said anything more he will surely get punched in the face.

Anger was roaming over Emmett's head he didn't want to do something he would later regret so he decided to leave out of the room to cool himself.

"Em..." sigh Emmett stopped in the middle of the office to look back at Ruben who was again sitting on his chair. He was about to step out of the room but again stopped himself when Ruben spoke up again.

"Look man...I am only saying this because it's the truth and I know it hurts but my friend you can't just put the whole blame on one person when so many others are also involved as well" Ruben hoped Emmett would listen to his reasons but when he received no response he continued again.

"Look just listen to what she has to say...you both need to talk about this" Emmett having enough of it from everyone decided to just walk out of the room and find some peace of mind.

'I don't know any other way to help you my friend.'

I am really sorry for my late updates. :( but i am trying to get this story but its not easy. so please be patient with me guys. THANK YOU.