Four days had past already. Lena enjoyed living with Regina and eating at Granny's. But she wasn't yet use to sleeping inside. Around midnight she would usually wake up from a nightmare. After that she couldn't fall asleep anymore so she'd go outside to the garden. The first night Lena spend at Regina's home, she had already found a nice place under a low fir tree with woodcut underneath. When Regina went to wake up Lena the next day she was very worried when she didn't find Lena in the guest bedroom. It didn't take Regina long though to find Lena sleeping in the garden. She had asked the young girl about why she slept outside. Lena didn't tell her about the nightmares. She just brushed it off as being used to sleeping outdoors. It had been the fourth time now Regina had found Lena sleeping in the garden. During breakfast Regina was trying to collect the courage to talk about this with Lena.
"So" Regina began: "you sleep well?
"Okay, I guess" Lena shrugged.
"Lena, can I ask you something?"
Lena nodded with a mouth full of cereal.
"Why do you sleep out in garden?"
Lena stopped chewing for a second. Slowly she continued to clear her mouth of food. After a big swallow and a deep breath she spoke: "I just sleep better outside."
"Why do you think that is?"
Lena shrugged.
"You know every night, before I go to bed, I check on you and you always seem to sleep okay. But every morning I find you in the garden."
Lena lays her spoon next to the bowl of cereal and lets her head down.
"Lena, I'm not mad at you. It's very normal that you need some time to adjust. I just wish you would talk to me. I want to help you."
"I have nightmares" Lena whispers, barely loud enough for Regina to hear.
"About what?"
Lena didn't wanted to say and Regina recognized the closed posture of the girl.
"I was thinking. Maybe I could make an appointment with Dr. Hopper for you" Regina suggested: "Sometimes it's easier to talk to a professional. But I do believe you should talk about it."
After another deep breath Lena finally said: "Okay."
That afternoon Lena and Regina were already waiting outside of Dr. Hopper's office. Lena's stomach was in a not. She was nervous. What if Dr. Hopper found out her secret and would tell Regina.
The door of the office opened and Dr. Hopper invited them in. After a short introduction Dr. Hopper asked Regina for him and Lena to speak alone. He thought this would get the best results.
"I will go to Granny's diner" Regina said: "It's just on the other side of the street. I will wait for you there."
Lena nodded and took place on the big couch. After Dr. Hopper closed the door behind Regina he took place on the smaller chair to her left.
"So Lena, Regina told me you had some trouble sleeping" Dr. Hopper started off: "Why don't you tell a bit about that."
After an hour Lena walked into Granny's diner. She found Regina sitting at the counter drinking her coffee. Lena took place on the stool next to her.
"Hey, how did it go?" Regina asked.
"Good" Lena replied. She just had talked about living in the enchanted forest. How she lost her family and found Elliot and later Regina. Lena had been very careful not to give away too much. She didn't want anyone to know about the real reason she had nightmares. At least not yet. Not until she knew they could handle it.
"Do you want to eat something?"
Lena nodded. Regina called Ruby over.
"Hey sweety, what can I get you?" Ruby asked.
"A grilled cheese sandwich and an iced tea, please" Lena replied.
"Coming right up" Ruby said with a wink.
"Regina," Lena turned to the woman next to her: "Can we go to the woods tomorrow?"
"What would you like to do there?" Regina asked curious.
"Running" Lena simply said: "I miss it."
"I guess we could go tomorrow. But to be honest I'm not really a runner myself."
"I am" Ruby cut in, not hiding she was listening in on their conversation: "I love running in the woods. It makes me feel…."
"…Free…" Lena said smiling.
"Maybe you should take Lena to the woods tomorrow instead" Regina said: "You ran together a lot in the enchanted forest too, if I'm not mistaken."
"Can you take me?" Lena asked Ruby hopefully.
"Yeah sure. But first eat your grilled cheese" Ruby said pushing the plate under Lena's nose.
The next morning, Ruby had come earlier than she had told Lena. She had asked Regina for permission to see for herself how and where Lena slept. But she wasn't planning on telling Lena this. Ruby stood in the kitchen, watching through the window that showed the back garden. There she saw Lena lying under the fir tree.
"So that's where she sleeps?" Ruby asked, nodding towards Lena, arms crossed.
"Yes, every morning I find her under the same tree" Regina answered, holding a cup of coffee.
"It's almost…animal-like" Ruby said carefully.
"I know. But she has been living in the woods for most of her live so…I guess it's normal…for her."
Ruby heard the worriedness in Regina's voice. She sighed. "Would it be okay if I go wake her?"
"Be my guest."
Lena wasn't really sleeping anymore but her eyes were still closed while she enjoyed the soft morning sun that fell on her cheeks. She heard the backdoor opening but it weren't Regina's footsteps she heard approaching. Lena was instantly on guard.
"Good morning" Ruby greeted.
"Ruby?" Lena opened her eyes and looked up in surprise.
"Hey sweety" Ruby greeted: "I woke up early so I thought we could eat breakfast together."
Lena smiled and jumped up. She stretched out her arms and brushed the woodcuts from her clothes before giving her friend a hug.
"Cozy place you have here" Ruby winked.
They walked inside into the kitchen where Regina was already making pancakes. Lena thought it was a bit weird that Regina didn't seem to mind that Ruby invited herself to breakfast. What Lena didn't know was that the two women had agreed on this arrangement. After breakfast Lena went up to her room to put on comfortable clothes and then she and Ruby left. Before Lena stepped out of the front door she gave Regina a quick hug goodbye.
"Bye Regina" Lena said.
"I'll see you at lunch" Regina said: "Have fun."
And off they went.
Next chapter will follow soon.
Let me know what you think.