Chapter 28
Feeling someone watching her, Emma opened her eyes slowly. She remembered instantly that she was in Henry's room. Spotting the spy to her left she turned to look. There sat the nine-year-old.
"That's really creepy, kid," She croaked.
"Mom said not to wake you, so I figured I just watch you till you woke up," He said, his expression not changing.
The blonde yawned and stretched before sitting up, "What time is it? Shit," she winced in pain grabbing her side.
He turned to the small clock on his desk, "8:30. Mom and Aunt Kathryn are downstairs making breakfast."
Emma rubbed her eyes. She reached for her pants on the desk but stopped in mid-air. They were gone. She spun around seeing if maybe she left them elsewhere, "You wouldn't happen to know where my clothes are, would you?" She wasn't naked, but she was sure it was inappropriate to go into the kitchen in only boy shorts and a t-shirt.
"Mom threw them in the wash, but grandpa left a pair of his basketball shorts for you," The kid explained.
Emma thought it was strange that the man owns basketball shorts. Not because he couldn't play basketball if he wanted, but he was more of a golfer, "Thank God."
Henry handed her the shorts and she slipped them on. She started to put on her shoes. She stopped as she realized she would look ridicules in basketball shoes and loafers.
"Wait here," The boy said running from the room.
Before she could say anything, he was back, "Here take these." He handed her a pair of men's house shoes, "They're grandpas too, but he won't mind."
Emma gladly slipped them on. They were a little on the big side, but comfortable. She smiled to herself. She felt like for the first time she had a chance to actually have a family. This was the same family she had wished to be a part of so long ago. Of course, back then, she had only wished for Dr. Mills to be her father. But now, she wanted it all.
"Come on, let go eat. I'm starving," The boy said, pulling her by the arm.
She let him lead the way down the stairs and into the kitchen. The smell of bacon, eggs, and pancake hung thick in the air. The blonde was convinced if she took a bite of the empty space around her head, she could probably taste the food.
"Look who's finally awake," Henry announced walking up to the island.
"I told you not to wake her," Regina scolded.
"He didn't," Emma defended. She figured she would leave out the creepy way he sat there staring at her though.
Regina walked up to the blonde and kissed her lightly on the lips, "Did you sleep well?"
It took a second for Emma's brain to compute the question. She had expected the weird awkwardness that came with dating. She half expected Regina to avoid all physical contact with her until they were alone. She wasn't complaining, she loved the affection, "Yeah, I slept great, actually. The only incident was when I got up to go to the bathroom at 2 am and stepped on a piece of USB drive from a laptop."
Henry grimaced, "Sorry."
Emma smiled and rustled his hair, "It's alright kid."
"Okay, let's eat," The older blonde said carrying a platter of pancake in one hand and a platter of eggs in the other.
The table had already been set along with the butter and syrup put out. Emma felt a little guilty about not being up sooner. She could have at least made herself useful and help set the table or something.
"You can sit next to me," Henry said taking her hand again and leading her to the table.
Once seated, Regina ensured every plate was piled high with food. Emma couldn't remember ever having a family dinner where everyone sat around the table. She had experienced more family settings in the short time she had known this family than she ever had with her own. Even when her mother was alive, it wasn't that way. Not because her mother wasn't a loving mom, but her mom was far from Betty Crocker or the Leave it to Beaver mom. If the restaurant down the street didn't serve it, they didn't eat it.
"So are you moving in?" Henry asked.
Emma nearly choked on her bacon, "Uhhh."
"Henry, honey, it doesn't work like that," Regina tried to explain.
Henry set his fork down and tilted his head, "Why not? She's your girlfriend."
Emma swallowed thickly, her eyes flicking towards the brunette.
"You're right. She is my girlfriend," Regina smiled, a slight reddening in her cheeks. "But Emma and I need to get to know each other much better before anything like that happens."
This seemed to appease the boy because he didn't reply. He just nodded his head and went back to eating.
The older blonde across the table was doing everything she could to not burst out laughing. Regina glared unapprovingly at her friend, but couldn't contain her own grin.
Henry's head popped up, "So tomorrow's your birthday, right."
Emma chewed the bite she had taken and nodded.
"What do you want to do," He asked, his lips pulled upwards and his teeth gleaming?
Emma blinked at him, "What do you mean?"
Henry knitted his eyebrows together, "You know, what do you want to do for your birthday?"
The younger woman realized all eyes were on her. She shrugged, "I don't know. It's just another day."
Henry frowned, "No it not. It's your birthday. It's when you get to have your favorite cake and have presents."
Emma felt uneasy about the concerned looks on everyone's faces, "I haven't had a birthday cake since I was in high school. I'm too old for one now."
"Mom? Emma's not too old for a birthday cake, is she," He asked turning to his mother.
"No dear, of course not," She answered. Emma didn't miss the look of shock that crossed the brunette's face when she said how long it had been since she'd had a cake.
"How did you celebrate your birthday in the past," Kathryn asked.
Emma licked her lips, "I didn't."
Henry was stunned, "Why not?"
"Well, up until recently, I didn't feel like had a reason to celebrate. When my mom passed away, I didn't get birthday cakes or presents anymore. My brother Will would sneak in when Father was away and bring one. That all stopped when I went off to college," Emma felt the sting at the back of her eyes and swallowed. "But hey, I mean I don't need cake or presents."
The boy looked at his mom with such sadness. He turned back to Emma, "This year, you're going to have the best birthday ever."
She wanted to laugh at the kid's enthusiasm, but she couldn't. Hearing her words out loud only validated what a pathetic life she lived. She scooted back from the table, "Excuse me. I need to go down to the club so I'm going to go check on my laundry."
She didn't make eye contact with anyone. Emma grabbed her plate and carried it to the sink. Without looking in anyone's direction, she hurried out of the kitchen and towards the stairs.
"Emma?" She heard Regina's voice behind her as her foot touched the first step.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruin everyone's breakfast," She said refusing to look at the other woman.
"Hey," Regina's hand grabbed her elbow, turning her around. "Are you okay?"
Emma clenched her jaw when she felt the first tear fall. Why was she a blubbering idiot in front of this woman?
A soft warm hand cupped her cheek, "Henry didn't mean to upset you."
Emma closed her eyes to revel in the feeling. It was just an innocent gesture, but it held so much power, "He didn't upset me. I haven't been around anyone who wanted to celebrate my birthday in a really long time. After a while I guess I figured I didn't need one."
"Let us celebrate with you." Regina's lips curled up, "You know, he's going to do everything he can to make sure you have a special one, as will the rest of us. I hope that's okay," The brunette chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for the answer.
Emma reached out and let her thumb graze the brunette's lips. She wanted to make sure this was real. She was actually standing in her 'girlfriend's' house for real. As much as this exposed raw nerves, she couldn't remember wanting anything more.
The blonde blinked back the remaining tears, "I won't know how to act, but as long as you're all there, I think I can manage." She leaned closer and pressed her thin lips against the brunette's full ones.
SQSQSQSQSQSQSQ
Henry tugged at the old box, but it wouldn't budge. He glanced around the packed garage. The boy had made a path, but now he found the box was too heavy for him to lift.
"What are you doing," a man's voice asked?
He poked his head out from around a stack of boxes. Henry was a little surprised at who he saw. It was the EMT from the night his Aunt tried to kill herself.
The man smiled, "I'm Freddy. I was one of the-,"
"I remember," Henry eyed him suspiciously. Not because he felt he was a danger, but because he thought it was weird he was here.
"Do you need some help with that," he asked, pointing to the box at Henry's feet.
Henry would have said no, but he had been trying to move that box for half an hour, "Sure."
The sandy blonde haired man walked over and picked the box up, "Where would you like it?"
"Follow me," Henry instructed. He led the man into the kitchen, "You can set it on the table if you don't mind."
Art supplies littered the table. Scissors, tape, glue, glitter, colored paper, you name it, was scattered about.
The man didn't say anything. He sat the box down, "So what are you working on?"
Henry pulled the top off and peered inside the 12 by 12 container, "I'm making Emma a birthday present."
"That should be fun," he said with a smile.
"Do you want to help," The boy grinned.
"Uh, sure," Freddy answered.
"Henry, I have to run down to the clinic for a-," his mother's voice cut off as she entered the kitchen.
Freddy looked up, "Hello."
"You remember Freddy, right mom," Henry asked pulling a magazine from the box?
"I do. Freddy." She answered and greeted at the same time.
As if he realized it wasn't normal to sit uninvited in someone's house with their child, his eyes widened. "I came by to check on you and Mrs. Nolan and bumped into Henry here."
"He helped me carry this box and he said he would help me with Emma present," the boy added.
"He did, did he," She asked, leaning down to kiss her son on the head? "Be good for your Grandfather Henry."
Henry watched his mother out of the corner of his eye, "Freddy, can I have a word with you in the hall, please?" He watched the man follow her out of the kitchen. Henry found that he couldn't hear their conversation.
When the man reappeared, alone, his curiosity got the better of him, "What was that about?"
The man shrugged, "She was telling me that your Aunt Kathryn is out running errands. She should be back shortly."
Henry stared at the man, "You like her, don't you?"
Freddy's cheeks turned red, "Um, well."
"You do. Emma and my mom's face turn the same color when they talk about each other," he said matter of fact. He didn't give the man a chance to respond. Instead turned his attention to the box, "Okay, so I need to collect pictures like this." Henry held up the magazine in his hand and pointed to the picture of a woman.
"Okay." The man didn't argue or ask questions. He took a book from the box and began flipping through the pages.
Henry took his scissors and carefully cut out the image from his magazine. He chewed his bottom lip as he stared at his art supplies thoughtfully.
"And what's all this," his Grandfather asked walking into the kitchen?
"It's going to be Emma's present, but I'm not sure how I will arrange it," he said, still looking at the supplies.
Dr. Mills took the image from his grandson and looked down at it, "Ah, I see." He glanced at the mess on the table top then back down at the picture. "Well, what if you put these Popsicle sticks together like a big frame, and then you can make a collage."
Freddy stuck his hand out, "Hello, sir. I'm Fredrick."
Dr. Mills smiled taking his hand, "Doctor Henry Mills. I'm Regina's dad. You're the young man that helped save our Kathryn."
Henry watched the man blush again, "From what I hear, Henry was the big hero."
"I won't argue with that," Henry's Grandfather said.
"I didn't do anything. Mom and Emma were the ones that made sure she was okay before the ambulance got here," he said. He didn't understand why his Grandfather would give him credit.
"If you hadn't called Emma and woke your mom, she might not have made it," Doctor Mills rustled his brown hair.
Henry hadn't thought about that. He could only remember being scared. His mind found it difficult to think of that night without seeing all the blood. Now, with his Grandfather's perspective, he could see that he actually did help. He had thought all along that he had only been in the way.
SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ
"It sounds like you caught a cold," Regina said placing the stethoscope back around her neck.
"A cold? I only got a cough and a runny nose," Bill said.
Bill was a long time patient of her father's. He was an 83 year-young gentleman, who liked to live as if he were much younger. This year alone, he had been in twice. Once was with a fractured arm, from skateboarding with his grandson. The second was a knot he'd gotten on his head from a softball game. She gave the man credit. He was more active than 80% of her younger patients.
"They're very common this time of year. All you need is a little rest and some cough syrup," She said watching the man.
"I'm not staying in any bed Doc. That just ain't me," He said crossing his arm over his chest in a pouting manner.
Regina smiled, but then sobered, "Bill, you are in great shape for your age. Hell, you're in great shape for a lot of ages. However, you're getting older. Your body doesn't heal like it used to."
"What are you trying to say Doc? That I should shrivel up and die or act like those old feeble fellows I see down at the retirement home," He grumbled?
Regina couldn't hold back her laugh, "No, I'm not saying that at all. I'm just saying that when you're sick or injured, you need to give yourself time to heal. After that, by all means, go and scale Mount Everest for all I care."
Bill seemed to be in thought for a second as he stood like a petulant child, "I can't make any promises, but I'll try." He stared at the bruise on her cheek, "And if you have any more trouble out of the son-of-a-bitch that did that, you call me."
He walked out of the exam room and towards the nurses' stations. Regina shook her head with a chuckle. He and her father have gone round and round on many occasions on how he takes care of himself. She couldn't help but smile. If anyone else were to meet him, they would think he was a mean old man. But Regina knew he was much sweeter and happened to be a very caring person.
Millie poked her head out from around the corner and rolled her eyes, "I don't see how you deal with that man. Last time, I thought I would have to wrestle him down and hogtie him just to draw blood. For an active old man, he sure as Hell doesn't like needles."
Regina laughed again. She had forgotten about that incident. Millie was fit to be tied by the time Bill left the clinic. He had called her everything under the sun, and then after they got the blood, he acted as if nothing ever happened.
The two women walked into the breakroom. Regina needed to sit down for a minute, her feet were killing her. She glanced up at the clock on the wall. 3 o'clock.
"How did last night go," The pink haired woman asked, pouring them both a cup of coffee.
Regina leaned back in the plastic chair and shrugged, "It went okay, I guess."
"It went okay? That's it," the woman sat one cup in front of the brunette and the other she held?
"Emma stayed the night. In Henry's room," She quickly added at the end.
Millie watched her with an approving nod, "And, that means what, exactly?"
Regina looked down into her cup. Her cheek reddened, "It means she was injured and I didn't want her going back to Kathryn's alone."
The dark skinned woman shook her head, "I mean, are you two an item, or what?"
Regina sighed, "Yes. We're taking things slow, but I guess we are."
The woman clapped her hands together with a laugh, "That's my girl."
The brunette wasn't sure what she meant by that comment. Before she could ask, the breakroom phone rang.
Millie picked up the receiver from the wall, "Family Practice."
Regina took a sip of her coffee as she waited.
"Um, if you'll hold one second," The pink haired woman's voice seemed unsure and Regina looked up. "There's a woman from some school, looking for Emma."
The brunette stood taking the phone, "This is Doctor Regina Locksley. Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Emma Nolan. She placed an application with our music department about a week ago. I'm trying to schedule an interview. She put this number down as a contact," the woman explained.
"Yes, of course." Regina reached across the table into the basket in the middle. She pulled out a pen and grabbed a napkin. "If you'll give me your name and number, I will have her call you back as soon as possible."
The woman rattled off her information. Regina was surprised to learn it was Henry's school. The woman thanked her and she hung up.
"What was that about," Millie asked?
Regina folded the paper and slipped it into her pants pocket. "Apparently Emma applied for a job at Henry's school."
The conversation Emma and she had in her kitchen the other night came back to her. Emma had asked her that strange question about if she wanted a life with money. She grinned. Now it was starting to make sense.
The phone on the wall rang again, but this time she answered, "Family Practice."
"May I speak with Doctor Regina Locksley," a familiar woman's voice asked.
"This is she," Regina replied.
"Hi. It's Ellen. I'm sorry to call like this, but I know how busy we doctor can get. You had asked about maybe having coffee," Regina wasn't sure if it was a statement or a question. "I have the rest of the afternoon off if you wanted to grab a cup."
The brunette had almost forgotten, "Of course. That would be wonderful." Now it was time to fix things for her father.
