Chapter Eleven- Caterpillar

Emma had been curled up into Regina's side ever since the nurse had cleared her. However as Dr. Whale expected, she refused any sort of substance besides water. Even then she only took three tentative sips from the bottle. She had been quiet, gently tugging on Regina's locks of hair, until the brunette tried to separate herself from the clingy tot.

"Emma cakes, can you go over to Ruby for a second?" Regina asked softly, feeling Emma yank harshly on her hair.

"No, I stay wif you. I stay wif Mama." Emma shook her head, snuggling deeper into Regina.

"Emma darling, Mama has to go potty." Regina pried the clammy hand from her hair.

"I go wif you?" Emma looked up at her, her bottom lip quivering and her green eyes shinning with unshead tears.

"I need you to be my big girl and stay with Ruby so I can use the bathroom." Regina soothed, passing the now stiff child over to Ruby. The girl sat tensely in the younger brunette's lap, not sinking into her how she did with Regina. The older woman shook her head before rushing to the bathroom. Relieving her bladder, she decided to call her parents and Robin to let them know Emma was awake and they could visit the girl now.

Walking back into the room, she saw a crestfallen Ruby signing to an upset Emma. The blonde had a deep pout set in, and big fat tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"What happened?" Regina asked wide eyed.

"She thought you weren't coming back, she didn't want to be left with me." Ruby's voice cracked as she explained to Regina what had occurred in her absence.

"Why would she think that I wasn't coming back?" Regina crossed her arms over her chest, trying to balance herself.

"Because anyone she has ever called Mama, has left her eventually." Ruby now sounded devoid of emotion as she pushed herself up from the ground.

"I'm sorry, I need a moment" The younger woman looked pained as she tried to walk around Regina but the older woman grabbed her by the arm.

"I understand you need to collect yourself, just stay where she can see you. Don't prove her right and just up and leave." Regina hissed in her ear before going to comfort Emma.

"Baby girl, why are you crying?" Regina cooed, while signing to the toddler.

"Why you leave me?" Emma glared at her slightly

"I didn't leave you. I just had to go potty." Regina corrected her.

"You were gone too long." Emma shook her head.

"I called Robin to see if he could bring Henry. And I called Papa and Nona." Regina informed her, watching the girls eyes light up and her tears cease.

"Nona coming?" Emma asked eagerly, having had formed a deep bond with her new grandmother.

"Yes Nona said she wanted to see her little girl." Regina nodded in confirmation.

"No Rowend?" Emma looked at her suspiciously.

"Roland is coming and he is bring you an I'm sorry gift." Regina replied

"Pwsent?" Emma held up her arms to be held.

"Yes darling, he is bringing you a present." Regina said

'Were RooRoo, her leave?" Emma looked around until her eyes landing on a sobbing Ruby.

"No Ruby needed a timeout." Regina turned the girl away from the crying woman, knowing Ruby wouldn't want her to see that.

"Was she a bad girl?" Emma furrowed her eyebrows trying to catch a glimpse of Ruby once more.

"No, she's just sad my love." Regina rubbed Emma's back.

"She needs a hug Mama." Emma looked at her pointedly.

"How about we go give her one together ?" Regina grinned when nodded her head quickly. Adjusting Emma's gown, she walked as far as the tubes still hooked up to Emma would allow without tugging before knocking on the glass catching Ruby's attention.

"I WANNA HUG!" Emma screamed, pressing her face into the glass giggling when it smashed her lips

. Ruby quickly dried her face before walking into the room.

"What was that moon baby?" Ruby cleared her throat as she addressed the girl who peered curiously at her.

"Mama said you take a time out. You not bad girl, just sad. We give you a hug." Emma held out one arm and Regina followed her lead. It took Ruby several moments before she walked into their arms. Feeling Regina's arm snake around her around her waist , her palm settling slightly on her hip. It made Ruby's head spin, but that also could be attributed to Emma's arm wrapped tightly around her neck, smashing together Regina's and Ruby's cheeks. When Ruby went to turn her face in hopes of getting in some much needed oxygen, it seemed Regina had the same thought and their lips came together firmly. Neither broke away for a couple of seconds, mostly out of surprise, until Emma started to giggle.

"RooRoo kiss Mama!" Emma giggled harder when they broke away and blushed furiously .

"I uh-" Ruby stammered, causing Regina to roll her eyes.

"I get kisses?" Emma asked, looking between both of them.

"Oh you want kisses do you?" Regina's voice turned teasingly as she smothered Emma's face with kisses while Ruby still was trying to stammer a response.

"MOMMY!" Henry came running into the hospital room with Robin, Roland , Cora and Henry Sr following close behind . Regina passed a reluctant Emma over to Ruby who was still a bright red, as she embraced her son who she hadn't seen in days.

"Hello my love. Did you have fun with Roland?" Regina scooped up the first grader and hugged him to her tightly.

"Yeah, he said sorry for almost killing Emma." Henry shrugged as Regina went eye wide.

"He didn't almost kill Emma, she had an allergic reaction." Regina corrected.

"No Mama, he killed me." Emma deadpanned, glaring at the five year old who was hiding behind his father.

"Emma, that's not nice. Maybe now Roland won't give you the present because you are being mean to him." Regina used her disappointed tone, hoping Emma would straighten up.

"But he did!" Emma protested, waving her arms wildly.

"Emma I'm sorry. I gots you a present." Roland shyly peaked around Robin with the gift wrapped box. Emma eyed him warily before turning to bury her face in Ruby's neck.

"She's just a little grumpy. Emma why don't you say thank you for the gift." Regina reminded her gently. Emma brought her palm to her chin and brought it away quickly, causing Roland to frown curiously.

"My daddy said Emma's deaf, that she can't hear. She talks with her hands." Roland pointed out, rocking on his feet.

"I hear! Stupid!" Emma turned around red faced causing Regina and Ruby to gasp.

"Emma we don't use that word. Apologize to Roland." Regina spoke firmly.

"No." Emma crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking Regina's pose.

"Well darling, I see you have a stubborn one on your hands." Henry Sr chuckled.

"Emma apologize or you are not getting Roland's gift!" Regina was loosing her patience with the stubborn tot. Had she not been rude, Regina might have found her stubborn behavior amusing.

"NO!" Emma shouted, her face the color of a tomato. She was rubbing furiously at her eyes, having had not gotten around to taking her nap earlier.

"I think my little bug is tired." Ruby bounced Emma lightly as Cora stepped forward.

"Emma please apologize to Roland, or he might have to get your Nona snuggles." Cora warned.

"Sorry!" Emma rushed out before practically flying out of Ruby's arms and into Cora's.

"Emma say it like you mean it." Cora chided, settling the blonde on her hip.

"I sorry Rowend." Emma mumbled, laying her head on Cora's shoulders and letting out a large yawn.

"She refused to nap for either of us, yet with you she just lays her head down and relaxes." Regina grumbled.

"Nona smells good." Emma muttered causing everyone to chuckle.

"Do I smell bad?" Regina frowned

"Well you have been here for a while without a shower." Robin grinned.