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Chapter 4

Though Emma had a bit to drink the night before, she woke up the next morning feeling good. It took her a few moments to remember where she was and why, but once she did, she smiled and looked at the monitor and saw Regina was still sleeping. She went and showered before getting dressed and then went into Regina's room. The little one was awake but laying and playing with her toes. When she saw Emma, she smiled wide and sat up. "Mama!"

"Hey there, precious." Emma cooed, picking her up and kissing her cheek. "Did you have a good night? You didn't wake up once."

"Gina wake. Gina hungy."

"Let's go get Gina some food." Emma said, tickling her little tummy. After she was fed and dressed, Emma decided to take Regina out for a bit as it wasn't yet too cold outside to play at the park. She got her in her cute little light weight coat and put sun screen, a summer hat, and lighter clothes in the bag just in case it warmed up. Regina was good as she sat in her car seat and once at the park, she looked around with wide eyes.

Being a summer weekday, Emma was surprised when they had the place to themselves and she held Regina's hand as she brought her over to the playground. "Do you want to try the swing?" She could see Regina hesitate and picked her up. "Good thing the older you insisted on these mother and child swings." She chuckled, remembering how the swing had cost more, but Regina was adamant about it. The contraption looked rather odd when no one was on it, but Emma stood firm with Regina and agreed on the budget. It had what looked like a regular swing but the top curved and it had a child swing set a little higher across from it. She put Regina in the child swing and sat on the swing and smiled as they faced each other.

Regina held onto the chains when she saw Emma doing it and tried to smile, though she was a bit scared. Emma started slow and smiled, using positive encouragement and soon, Regina was giggling and having the time of her life.

"Well look at you two. Seriously, too adorable for words." Came a friendly voice and Emma smiled over to see Ashley taking their picture.

"Fancy meeting you here." Emma said, smiling back. "Hello there, little man." She said to Ashley's son who was now about three. "I'm surprised you don't have Neal with you."

"Your dad has the late shift, so he's spending the morning with him." Ashley said, putting Thomas Junior in the other child swing and sitting next to Emma. "She really is an adorable little thing. I couldn't believe it when I heard what happened."

"Word travels fast." Emma said, reaching forward and wiping Regina's nose. "I wonder how many lies are being spread."

"You mean like how this was done by someone to get back at her or that she wanted to turn Henry into a baby to keep him here? Yeah, those are going around too."

"Of course, they are. The thing is, we don't actually know the real reason this happened other than she was trying to go back in time to change something. She wasn't trying to turn back time or – so far as I know – use it on anyone else."

"I believe you and when I hear those outlandish rumors, I try my best to squash them. The truth is, we probably won't know what she was trying to do until she's herself again and even then, she may not want to share it with everyone – which is her right."

Emma looked over to Ashley, a small smile on her lips. "You really are one of the good ones, aren't you? I mean…I love my parents, don't get me wrong, but even some of their good intentions aren't always good. While you…well you just really do see the good in everyone."

Ashley laughed a bit. "Believe it or not, Emma, we aren't that different to each other. I had a crappy childhood just like you and, much like you, I use that for good. I try to see the good in people because seeing the bad is just exhausting. I'm not perfect, no one is, but I can completely understand Regina and why she did what she did. Do I like all the choices she made? No, but I understand most of them. I also know that things were done without her knowing or her approval and that she was used by both Gold and her mother." Ashley gazed at the little one and smiled. "But above everything else, I know how hard she's worked to prove to everyone that she's a better person."

"Thank you for that." Emma said softly. "She really has worked hard and once she's an adult, I think you should tell her what you just told me. It would honestly mean so much to her; probably more than she even realizes."

Ashley gave a nod. "I'll do that when the time is right." The two swang with the littles ones for a bit before Thomas Jr. wanted to get out.

Emma took Regina out as well, but when she went to put her down, she clung to her. "She's a bit shy." Emma said apologetically to Thomas Junior. "Regina honey, do you want to play?"

Regina looked between Emma and the little boy. "Mama pway."

"Mama will come with, honey." Emma assured her and put her down, holding her hand - or rather, Regina gripped Emma's hand. "How about the slides?" She walked Regina over and helped her climb the small slide and go down. "Wee!"

Regina giggled. "Wee! Again!" This time, she climbed up on her own and went down.

Thomas Junior went on the slightly bigger slides and Emma and Ashley sat on a bench watching them. "You're good with her, Emma. Do you know how long she'll be like this?"

"The next two months or so. The antidote takes sixty days to finish and then the moon has to be full, so I've got her until August 12th."

"August? What about your wedding?"

Emma sighed, watching the kids. "The wedding is off." She looked down at her hand and realized she hadn't even put her ring on that day. "I suppose I need to let everyone know that."

Ashley reached over and put her hand over Emma's. "I'm sorry, Em. You don't have to talk about it."

"It's fine. It was a long time coming, honestly, but I finally had enough after he...well showed his true colors."

"Everyone does eventually." Ashley said, once again watching the kids. "Sometimes, those colors are bright and shine through darkness like Regina, while others are dull and take longer to show. All that matters is that you do what's right for you. Besides, you're far too good for him, Emma, you always have been."

"Thanks, but really, I'm not. I've done terrible things too, Ashley, and not just when I was dark."

"Emma, you were only dark because you couldn't stand the thought of Regina having to go through that again. That's not something just anyone would do."

"Maybe not, but I did bad things even after I swore I wouldn't."

Ashley sighed. "No one is perfect, Emma, and no one should think they have to be. All I'm saying is you deserve better than him."

Emma chewed on her lip, looking towards the kids, but really lost in her own thoughts. "Maybe. But maybe...Regina!" She called out just as the little one fell over the top of one of the taller slides.

Regina fell and after a stunned moment, started screaming, tears streaming down her face. "Mama!"

Emma was there in an instant, carefully assessing her as she didn't want to make any potential injuries worse. Right away she noticed her arm and tears filled her own eyes. She didn't know how to heal much other than scrapes and small cuts. "I have to take her to the doctor."

"Of course, do you want me to go with you?"

"No, but can you please call Zelena and tell her about this and tell her I'm so sorry."

"I will, but it's not your fault."

"Thanks." Emma held Regina close to her and used her magic to take them to the hospital. "Okay baby girl, it's okay." She cooed as she waited for the person in front of her to check in. Regina's cries had died down to a whimper, but her arm was swollen and still red. She stepped forward when the person left and gently bounced Regina. "I need a doctor right away. I think her arm is broken."

The woman looked up. "Emma? Hi, who is this little one?"

"It's Regina."

"Regina? As in Madam Mayor Regina?"

"Yes. I'll tell you the story later, but right now, she needs a doctor. Her arm is red and swollen and painful. Please."

"Yes, yes of course." She handed Emma a clipboard. "Just fill this out the best you can while you're waiting. It won't be a long wait."

"Thank you." Emma said, taking the clipboard and finding a seat. Regina rested against her as she did her best to fill out the form. Just as she finished, Zelena came in and before she could say anything, she gave Emma a hug.

Zelena then took the clipboard to the desk and came back over. "It's okay, Emma. Accidents happen and that's all this was. Once we know for sure what it is, I may be able to heal her."

"Thank you so much for coming. Where's Robin?"

"With Ashley. She said you were worried I'd be upset with you and I wanted to assure you that I'm not."

"She's going to hate me." Emma said, tears in her eyes. "This is my second full day with her and the second day I've let her get hurt."

"Welcome to being a mother to a toddler." Zelena chuckled. "She's not going to hate you."

"Mama, owie." Regina said, tears in her big brown eyes.

"I know baby girl. The doctor will see us soon." Emma kissed Regina's forehead and stroked her hair. "Mama is so sorry, baby girl."

"Owie." Regina softly cried.

Emma felt horrible and looked at Zelena. "Can you take the pain away at least?"

"I can't do anything until we know what it is, Emma. I'm sorry. I don't want to make anything worse and if she doesn't feel pain, she may do something to make it worse."

Emma knew Zelena was right, but it didn't make her feel any better. "Maybe someone else should be watching her. I'm doing a terrible job."

"Are you kidding me? First, Regina wouldn't want anyone other than you watch her if she had a say in it. Second, she fell at the park, Emma. Every kid falls at the park no matter who their parents are. You didn't push her, you didn't beat her, you didn't neglect her; you simply let her play. Third, what Hook did to her yesterday wasn't your fault either and you healed that right away. Emma, you are making her your number one priority and that is what matters."

Before Emma could say more, they were being called back by a nurse. "I heard this happened to her, but I didn't believe it until now." The nurse said. "She's a cute little thing." She said with a smile. "Hey precious girl. My name is Liz and we're going to make your owie better." She said as she gestured for Emma to sit with her on the examination table. "I take it she's comfortable with you?"

"Yes. We can try, but I'm not sure you'll be able to pry her off me."

"We should be able to do this without having to do that. We hate having to upset children more than necessary." The nurse was kind and patient with Regina as she got her temperature and made sure there were no other injuries. "I'll go get the doctor and we'll probably do an x-ray."

"Please tell me it's not Dr. Whale?"

The nurse chuckled. "It's not. Actually, your ex stepmother is on call today."

Emma was confused for a moment. "Oh Kathryn. She wasn't really my stepmother." Emma said with a chuckle.

"I know, we just like to joke about that here. We need something to joke about or the days would be super dull." She then left and Emma rubbed Regina's back.

"You're doing so well, Gina." She said, kissing her head.

"You make a great mom." Zelena observed quietly. "I know you don't think you do, but you do."

Before Emma could Respond, Kathryn came in. "Hello there. So, the rumors are true. Hello little Regina." She sat down and looked at the chart. "Someone hurt their arm, hmm?"

"Owie." Regina murmured.

Kathryn carefully looked at Regina's arm, not touching it more than she had to. "I'm pretty sure it's broken." She then looked at Zelena. "I'm assuming you're here to see if you can heal it?"

"I'm hoping I can. I would just need to know exactly what it is I'm fixing."

"If we can get an x-ray done, will that help?"

"Tremendously."

"Okay, Emma, come with me. You should be able to hold her while we do this, we just need her arm out."

In the room, Emma gently talked to Regina and got the girl to lay her injured arm out on the table. She distracted her while they did the x-rays and an hour later, Zelena had Regina's arm all fixed up.

"Thank you so much, Zelena. I can't imagine her having a cast on her arm at her age." Emma said as they made their way out of the hospital.

"It's no problem at all. Now. We're to meet Ashley at Granny's for lunch so go get your car and meet us there."

"Sounds good." Emma used her magic to go back to the park and put Regina in the car seat. "Gina all better?"

"All better, Mama!" Regina said, leaning forward and kissing Emma's cheek.

They all had lunch and then Emma headed home with Regina, the little one falling asleep in the car before they got to their destination. Emma went to lay her down but decided they would cuddle in Regina's bed together. She hadn't meant to, but Emma soon fell asleep, the soft little breaths of baby Regina hitting her neck.

Intense banging soon woke Emma up and she quickly put a sound barrier up in the room so it wouldn't wake up Regina. After the morning she had, Emma knew the little one needed sleep. She gently moved her into the pack and play and then went downstairs to the door. "What is going…you. What do you want?"

"That's no way to great your fiancé, now is it?" Hook said, pushing past Emma and into the house.

"I don't have one of those anymore, Killian, we broke up. I ended it. We are done."

"We are not done until I say we are." He spat, turning on her. "I am not letting that bitch come between us either as a toddler or an adult. Where is the little shit anyway?"

"Get out! Get out of here now! You may think you have a right to talk to me like this, but you don't. Get out of this house and get out of my life! I've wasted enough time with you."

Killian grabbed Emma's neck with his good hand and squeezed it. "No woman talks to me like that and gets away with it. You think you're special but you're not, Swan, you're just a throw away piece of…" Emma blasted him with magic, and he flew back, hitting his head hard against the wall. He fell with a thud and Emma blinked tears as she called the station. "Ruby? I…I think you better send an ambulance to Regina's house. I…I think I killed him."

Ruby and Thomas got to Regina's about the same time as the ambulance and they found Emma on the staircase hugging herself. "I didn't mean to…I just wanted him off me." Emma said, wiping her eyes, her voice soft and scratchy.

"Where's Regina?" Ruby asked gently. "Is she okay?"

"She's sleeping. At least she was. I put a spell on the room when he started banging on the door so she wouldn't hear it."

Ruby looked to Thomas. "I'm just going to check on her."

Thomas nodded and sat next to Emma on the steps. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Emma pulled her knees to her chest and winced as she cleared her throat. "We'd had a fight yesterday and I ended things with him. Among other things, he tried taking little Gina out of my arms and scratched her. I ended things and left and healed her arm. Today, he came angrily banging at the door and then pushed past me when I answered it. Thomas, I don't remember exactly what was said, but I told him to leave many times. He kept insulting me, looking for Regina and just being horrible. I again told him to leave and the next thing I knew he had his hand around my throat and was choking me. I couldn't push him away, so I used my magic to push him and he hit the wall hard."

"Can I see your neck? I can tell by your voice that it hurts." Emma put her legs down and sat up straight, pulling the neck of her shirt down. He looked at her neck and winced. "That looks painful. Mind if I take some pictures?"

"I know you have to." Emma said, her voice still scratchy. "I'm not a victim, Thomas."

"I'd never say you were, Emma. You're also not a murderer or a someone who assaults anyone either. You were defending yourself against a bully." He said as he took pictures of her injury. "I want you checked out." He said, waving over a paramedic.

The woman smiled at Emma. "Hello. That bruise looks nasty; does it hurt to swallow or talk"

"Yes, to both." Emma answered just above a whisper, tears filling her eyes. "But I don't want to go to the hospital. I was already there earlier."

"Let me take a look. It may hurt just a bit." The woman prodded and poked at Emma's neck and let out a breath. "I can't make you go, and I think it's just some straining, but if it gets worse, please go in and make sure nothing is broken. Also, if you develop problems breathing, coughing up blood, or a weakness or numbness in your arms, go to the doctor immediately. In the meantime, hot tea, coffee, cocoa, anything hot. Even hot water with lemon and honey will help. Use an ice pack for ten to twenty minutes at a time; I'll leave one here with you. You can take ibuprofen for pain and swelling. Now, are there any other injuries?"

Emma shook her head and then winced at the action. She gestured to Killian. "Is he dead?"

"Dead? No. He's knocked out cold, but he's not dead. He'll be fine other than a headache and bruised ego."

Emma let out a sigh and then looked at Thomas. "Then I need a restraining order." She looked at the paramedic. "Thanks for your help. If I get worse, I'll go to the doctor."

They wheeled Killian out on the stretcher and once they were gone, Thomas put his arm around Emma. "We'll get the restraining order worked up right away. Do you want to press charges against him?"

Emma nodded. "Yeah. I can't have him thinking this is okay." She looked over at the wall and closed her eyes. "Do you need to take pictures before I clean this up?"

Ruby came down with Regina in her arms. "Sorry, Emma, but she was awake. I changed her but she really wanted you."

Emma smiled softly and took Regina into her arms. The little one seemed to sense something was off, so she cuddled in with her. "Ruby, would you mind taking some scene pictures while I finish up my notes?"

"Sure thing, boss."

Thomas looked over his notes and then looked at Emma. "Has he threatened you before?"

"Not exactly. He got upset with me yesterday and tried to take Regina from me, but I healed her scratch he caused."

Thomas added that and handed his notepad to Emma. "Can you look over that and sign it? That way you don't have to come to the station to make a statement. When we get back there, I'll get the restraining order going and maybe Ruby can bring you a copy of yours and we'll serve Killian at the hospital. We'll also arrest him as soon as he's released."

"Thank you." Emma said and signed the statement. "I don't suppose you can keep this from my dad?"

"He's the boss right now, Ems. I can't keep anything from him." He said, putting the notebook in his pocket.

"Can you at least tell him I'm okay?"

"I will, Emma."

"All done." Ruby stated, handing the camera back to Thomas. "I'll drop by later with the restraining order."

"Thank you." Emma used her magic to clean up the mess in the hall. "Can you guys let me know when he's out of the hospital?"

"You bet." Thomas said, standing. "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine." Emma said, resting her lips on Regina's head. She wanted the girl in her arms to be the woman she used to be so she could lean on her best friend, but she knew that wasn't happening soon.

"Look, if things do get worse, please don't hesitate to call Ashley to watch Gina, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you."

Once the two left, Emma looked at Regina and smiled. "What do we do now, baby girl?"

"Mama otay?" Regina asked her big brown eyes opening wide. She gently touched Emma's bruised neck. "Owie?"

"Yes, mama has an owie, but I'm okay." There was a soft knock at the door and Emma looked before answering. "Hi."

"Hi. Sorry to bother you. I forgot to leave this with you. Here's two gel ice packs." The paramedic stated. "Ten to twenty minutes every few hours."

"Great, thank you." Emma watched her go and went to put the packs in the freezer. "I don't want to cook tonight, and we had pizza last night. What should we have tonight?" Emma looked to Regina who looked back at her.

"Food."

Emma smiled and tapped her nose. "Food." She then ordered some pasta and breadsticks and brought Regina into the living room. "Should we watch a movie?" Regina shrugged and seemed content sitting on Emma's lap. Emma turned on Netflix and put on some kids' movie and sat back cuddling Regina. "I wish you were here, Regina."