Family is Forever

Seriously guys you have no idea how great your reviews make me feel! I never thought this story would be such a huge hit on here, so this really makes me feel so good to see that people are reading and loving the story.

P.S Sorry for the shorter chapter guys, I promise the next one will be longer!

Chapter 8

The next morning Josh and I made it to the hospital the second visiting hours were open. My friends wanted to come along and see how Emma was doing, but I explained to them that she doesn't even know that Josh and I have agreed to take her in yet. I figured it would be better to take things nice and slow for Emma. It's obvious that she isn't comfortable around being celebrities. So I figured that meeting everyone so suddenly probably wouldn't be the best thing for her. I wanted to do things right with Emma.

This morning Josh and I decided to wear simple clothing and not our usual expensive designer clothes. I was wearing an old pair of faded blue jeans, with a nice blue top, my favorite leather jacket, and comfortable black boots. Josh was also wearing jeans, a red long sleeve sweater, and plain sneakers. We didn't want to overwhelm Emma with our usual attire; we wanted to show her that even though we were actors we could just be like every day people.

It didn't take us long to reach Emma's room and I was surprised to see her sitting up already dressed back into her old clothes and out of that hospital gown.

"Good morning Emma" I said. Emma had been channel surfing from the small television that was in her room and hadn't even heard us come in.

She turned around and spotted us with surprised eyes. "You really came?" she said stunned. She then turned the uninteresting television off.

My heart broke as I fought back a wave of sadness, just how many times have people lied to her? I gave her a warm smile as Josh and I took our seats next to her bed. "Of course we came, I promised you that we would didn't I?" I asked titling my head to the side innocently.

She gave me a small smile which warmed my heart instantly; I decided then that I wanted to see Emma smile more. "The doctor said I could leave today if I wanted to. My fever finally went down just a few hours ago" she explained.

"That's great Emma, you really had Gin and I worrying last night" said Josh.

Her green eyes suddenly became empty as she looked down in shame. "The doctor, he umm told me how you guys brought me here and how late it was. I'm sorry for calling you guys so late. I would have called Lilly, but, but, umm her parents don't like me very much. I don't know why, they just really don't like me and I didn't want to get Lilly into trouble for calling so late. I had no one else to call" she explained nervously.

I gently grabbed Emma's hand and gave it a light squeeze. Her green eyes met mine as I gave her a small but loving smile. "You have nothing to be sorry for Emma. I told you that you were allowed to call us at any time. I'm only sorry that I wasn't there for you when you really needed me, if only I had just had my phone on me" I sighed in frustration.

"I told you already Ginnifer that it's ok, you were able to be there for me when no one else could in the very end. Even you to Josh, thanks" She looked up at Josh and gave him a small but shy smile.

Josh smiled proudly and at that moment I could tell that he would do just about anything for Emma. "Anytime Emma, but I hope to never have to see you in that kind of state again" he said carefully and honestly.

"Emma I need to ask you something. Doctor Jonathan told us that your ribs were beaten up pretty badly. Would you please tell us exactly what happened last night, and why you were outside at the school in that freezing cold weather?" I asked carefully.

I could instantly see the hesitation in her eyes and I wanted her to know that everything was going to be ok, but I also knew that I was going to have to be patient with her.

"I…I was bad" she said softly.

"Oh Emma, no matter how bad you may think you have been no child deserves to have their ribs broken sweetheart" I said gently.

She didn't look up at me or Josh for a long time. "When…when are they coming?" she asked hesitantly. I could hear the fear in her shaky voice and knew she was asking about her foster parents.

"They aren't coming here Emma" Josh promised.

She finally looked at us with skeptical green eyes. "Did you call them?" she asked.

I shook my head. "The hospital called them but there was no answer. They finally had someone head over to your place to let them know that you were here but they were both gone. It looked like they grabbed whatever they could and ran off" I explained. Emma grew quiet for a long time and for a moment I wish I could just bring her into my arms, but I could tell she needed some time to think.

"So…So what's going to happen to me?" she asked.

"Well the doctor told us that you would have to put back into the foster care system the moment you could leave here" I answered.

She sighed heavily and it looked like she had lost all hope.

"Of course my wife here just couldn't bear the thought of sending you back to that horrible system" said Josh.

Instantly Emma's head shot up as her eyes widen in complete shock, I couldn't help but smile lovingly. "I know that you hate celebrities Emma, but Josh and I. We were really hoping that you would come home with us" I said.

"You…you really….want to take me in?" she asked stunned. "But…why me?" she asked confused.

"I know this may sound strange Emma, but when we first met I felt a strong connection. I really want to get to know the bright and beautiful young girl that I could clearly see that day. You aren't like most teenagers and I mean that as a compliment. My heart can't bear the thought of you being sent back into that dreadful system with the possibility of being stuck with the same type of parents that you were just with. I know that we may seem pretty young to try and take in a teenager, but I can promise you this, that Josh and I under no circumstances would we ever strike you" I vowed.

Once again she was quiet as Josh and I waited for her do digest all the information. Time seemed to pass slowly and she still hadn't looked at us, I was beginning to fear that she wouldn't accept us.

"Emma this entire decision is up to you. We aren't here to force you to come home with us; you can decide whatever you want. If you do not wish to come with us then we won't pressure you into doing anything that you don't want to do" Josh explained patiently.

"So I'm not just some publicity stunt then?" she asked. "I don't want to suddenly turn around and see my face on a bunch of magazines just because you two are celebrities taking in some foster kid. I don't want to be some big headline news" her voice sounded annoyed. It looked like she was trying to hold back her frustration.

"This has nothing to do with our celebrity status Emma" I quickly promised. "Even if we weren't celebrities I would still want to give you a home without any abuse to live in. I want you to finally find a place that you can feel safe in like you deserve" I explained carefully.

"Emma where not saying that the news probably won't get out somehow, given our status it can be hard to have much privacy. But we will do everything that we can in order to keep you out of the lime light as much as possible" Josh promised.

I watched as she grabbed the thin white blanket that covered her legs with her hands, it was easy to see that she was struggling with so many different emotions. All I wanted to do was hug the poor girl, but I didn't want to step over any lines too soon. All Josh and I could do was wait for her answer.

"Do you really promise; no hitting?" she asked. It nearly sounded like she was begging, her voice sounded so tired.

"Of course we promise" I answered honestly.

Finally she looked up at me with tired eyes. "I really don't want to go back to that system, but my experiences with celebrities have never been good. I want to believe you, I really do, but what if your celebrity friends hate me? What if they think this whole idea of bringing in a foster kid is just ridicules?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter what people think Emma. All Josh and I care about is your happiness. I'm not exactly sure what has happened to you in the past to make you hate celebrities so much, but Emma not all celebrities are bad. The people that we work with are like family, and maybe in time they'll even become your family" I explained very carefully, but with hope in my voice so that she would try to understand me.

She sighed and I could see the exhaustion running through her. "If, if you really want to take me in then I promise I won't be any trouble. I'll be completely invisible and won't do anything to make you look bad" she promised.

My heart broke and I just couldn't hold back any longer as I finally leaned in and wrapped my arms around her. At first Emma stiffened, but I was happy to feel her relax into my hug just seconds later. I was even more pleasantly surprised to feel her arms wrap around myself, I could tell this moment was a huge step for her and I was insanely proud of her. "You could never be invisible to me Emma, and I wouldn't want you to"

Eventually I pulled away and sat back next to Josh. "So when do we leave?" she asked curiously, a small smile gracing her lips.

"Well the Doctor said that you could leave as soon as you felt up for it right?" asked Josh.

She nodded and slowly began to lean her legs over the bed but gasped in pain at the sudden movement.

"Emma dear maybe we should get you a wheel chair. Those ribs of yours are beaten up pretty badly" I said full of concern. I was instantly at her side, making sure that she didn't try to move too fast by accident.

"I'll be right back with the wheel chair, and the doctor" said Josh.

"Thanks dear" I said thankfully.

"Sorry about this, I can normally handle the pain" said Emma shamefully.

Just how many times has she had to go through this?! Anger boiled through my blood, I almost wish that I could just beat those foster parents that hurt this child. I know I wasn't a violent person by nature, but my protective instincts were going on over drive. If this Emma is really my child, and I ever cross paths with the last family she was with, I'm not so sure if I would be able to control the rage I have for them.

"Don't worry about it kiddo, the two of us well be taking care of you now so you don't need to try and endure anything alone anymore all right" Josh explained. He gave Emma and me a warm smile and finally left the room. I couldn't help but swell up with pride at how wonderful my husband was; I was so lucky.

I took a seat by Emma on the bed as we waited for my husband's return. There were so many things I wanted to ask Emma, but I wasn't really sure where to start without asking the wrong thing.

"So Emma, what do you like to do for fun?" I ask cautiously.

She blinked at the sudden question of interest as I gave her a warm and encouraging smile. "Umm I like to read I guess, I also love listening to music, I don't know what I would do if I ever lost my IPod" she answered. She then pulled out the small IPod from her pocket that had a red cover on it. "I know it's like probably one of the oldest IPod's out there compared to all the new ones, but this thing has been there for me when I always needed music to just help me escape. When I was younger I did a bunch of chores around the house for whatever family I was living with, so that I could save up enough money and have my own IPod so that I could always have music by my side. Once I finally got it, it was the only constant thing in my life that I knew would never leave me" she explained. Her voice was so distant that she suddenly sounded older than any fourteen year old I have ever met.

After hearing just some of her story my green eyes became misty and clouded. I knew I couldn't cry, I needed to be strong for the girl, but dear god I just wanted to take away all of her pain right then and there.

"What's your favorite type of music?" I asked.

She thought for a moment. "Umm I like all kinds I guess, I'll listen to just about anything" she shrugged. "What about you, what do you like to do?" she asked.

I couldn't help but smile; it felt like she really wanted to get to know me. "Well I love to read, and I'll read just about whatever I can get my hands on. Ever since I was a little girl I loved to act, I would audition for any play that my school was holding. Then in high school I really got into the acting as a career goal after meeting Josh" I smiled as I thought about my high school years with Josh and of course Meghan.

For a moment it looked like Emma wanted to say something but my husband had return with the chair and doctor in tow. Josh and I slowly and carefully helped Emma to the chair as she had an arm around both our necks for support.

"Ready to get out of here Emma?" asked Doctor Jonathan.

"More than ready" she replied.

I grabbed Emma's backpack as the doctor and Josh chuckled. "Well as you know, you will need to take it easy for the next few weeks I'm afraid. I have a doctor's note all written up for you in order to take to school in case you have any physical classes like P.E. I want to see you back in two weeks to make sure those ribs are healing up nicely like they should, and I'll have some medication that you can take for the pain" he explained casually.

Emma nodded. "Thank you Doctor Jonathan for everything" I said, being truly grateful for his help.

"No problem Mrs. Dallas. Promise me you'll make sure that she gets lots of rest" he said.

"You can count on it" Josh promised.

"All right then. You can sign Emma out at the front desk and I'll have her medication ready to give to her" he replied and then took his leave.

-Emma's POV-

Ginnifer Goodwin wheeled me out of the room with Josh walking right beside us. I honestly didn't know what to think right now, so much was happening so fast that it terrified me. I was actually surprised to find myself wanting to speak with the actress. Her voice was so warm and comforting. The thought of staying with celebrities brought back old memories I just didn't want to think about. I know I shouldn't let them take me in, I should know better from my past. But something about these two just keep pulling at my heart. I know deep down that I've also been growing so tired of being alone; I want to believe that just maybe these two will be different.

Maybe if I don't cause any trouble they might want to keep me. I'm so tired of changing from one family to the next; all I want is a place to finally call home. Once we were checked out Josh helped me into the back seat of the Volvo as Ginnifer put the wheel chair inside the trunk. When everyone was settled into the vehicle we finally headed for the Redwood Hotel where the actors were staying at. Josh and Ginnifer where in their own conversation that I wasn't really paying much attention to. I could tell that the actress wanted to talk with me more, but I think she could see that I needed some time to digest everything that was happening and for that I was grateful. Although the future was completely uncertain right now, I do know that whatever happens I won't let anyone break me anymore. I am sick and tired of the abuse, and although the actors swear never to strike me I won't be letting my guard down just yet. I want to trust them, I really do, but only time will tell if they can be true to their word. The second things become violent in my life again I'll simply run away, forever.

TBC!