"May I help you?" The receptionist asked watching all four visitors run in together hand and hand.

"Yes, we need to see Emma Nelson. She was just rushed in here about few hours ago!" Manny answered.

"I'm sorry only family members permitted into her room." The receptionist informed.

"We are her family. Why else would we be here" Jay spat sarcastically.

"Do you have any valid ID or proof of relationship?" she challenged.

"Look we have none of that can you just let us in?" Jay shot back.

Emily didn't understand why this lady was being so difficult. After all this hospital was the place that called Jay immediately after admitting her mom. Emily didn't think she could wait another minute. Then again, she felt she could take all the time in the world. Just anything to take the pain away from seeing her mom in that hospital bed.

"I'm sorry I can't let you in." The lady finished

"Look that girl in there is my sister we've practically known each other since we were her age." Manny said pointing to her three year old daughter.

"I'm sorry I just can't let you—

"No you're gonna be sorry if you don't let us in that room because in the next ten seconds I'm going to set this fu#%king hospital on fire. Please, try me if you will!" Manny screamed causing a scene.

Jay tried his best to calm his pregnant wife down but there was no use, which was one of reasons he wanted Manny to stay home. The woman could already see the fire in Manny's eyes. Manny can get very pushy and impatient under stress and being pregnant just makes it ten times worse.

"Okay, just give me a minute!" The receptionist pleaded nicely trying her best to contact Emma's doctor in the quickest manner.

"Okay, her room is on the third floor West wing room 304." The receptionist assured.

"Thank you!" Manny and Jay both said as they ran with Manny and Cassie toward Emma's room.

((((*****))))

Before making it to the floor they said a prayer in the elevator. If there something Emma taught them it was to always keep faith and they did exactly that. Once they were out the elevator they had finally made it to Emma's room.

They each stood in silence while watching Emma through the window of her door. She was lying in a hospital with her right leg elevated in a brace around her ankle. She had wires and monitors attached to her head and chest as well as her mouth and nose connected to an oxygen machine. It was definitely a sight that hurt to see especially of someone they all loved.

"Are you the family of Emma Nelson?" The doctor asked coming out of Emma's room.

"Yes, that's us." Jay answered.

"Okay I have good news and bad news. The good news is….. She survived this." The doctor stated.

"Emma Nelson's car was in a collision that could've cost her life because of how severe her impact was against the brick wall. If there weren't people on the road to assist for help in time, this situation could've gone very bad. Her surgery also went pretty well, one of the strongest patients we've ever had. She was able to get through it smoothly. I don't know who that girl is in there…. But she's a real fighter." The doctor announced.

"Of course she's a fighter that's Emma Nelson one of the strongest girls I know." Manny sang happily with tears welling in her eyes. She couldn't believe this miracle and knowing her best friend was going to be okay.

"This is amazing news Doc!" Jay said kissing and squeezing Manny to his side.

"What's the bad news?" Emily snapped at the doctor causing everyone to stare at her.

She didn't mean to be rude and ruin the moment of happiness knowing her mom just survived an almost fatal car accident. Someone had to rip the bandage off and of course that person would be Emily. Before Emily could celebrate anything she needed to know everything about her mom's condition.

After all Manny and Jay aren't Emily's parents, Emma was and was her only parent of that matter. Emily needed to know every surprise and every worry before she could be fully satisfied with everything. She was a proactive person just like her mother.

"The bad news, is that although she went well through the surgery she is in Acoma. She hasn't woken up on her own yet. Luckily, her surgery went smooth so we didn't see any signs of complications she could possibly have.

However, she is in Acoma and there is no telling how long it could last because it's ultimately up to her for whenever she wakes up. It could last many weeks and possibly months but seeing how fast she was able to get through her surgery without any complications, we don't think this should be a problem." The doctor informed.

"You guys are welcomed to go in and see her. Words of encouragement are a helpful. Her hearing each of your individual voices can alert her and help guide her to a speedy recovery. There are blankets and pillows in the closet as well as a love seat and bassinet for our little ones. The nurses will also be back to check in from time to time!" The doctor added.

"Thanks Doc!" Jay said tiredly. "You ready babe?" He asked Manny while walking into the room.

Manny was right behind him until she saw Emily still standing outside the room.

"Are you coming Em?" Manny asked curiously.

"Yeah I am I just have to go to the bathroom. That chili you made did not go down easy! It's gonna be a while!" Emily laughed while rubbing her stomach on her way to the bathroom.

"Ugh you're so gross!" Manny yelled back to her before entering the room.

((((*****))))

The room was painted grey with very dark and dreary low lights around the walls. It did look much updated unlike the hospitals back in her time though. This room had a comfy couch as well as a flat screen television hanging up on the wall.

"Emma did always have the best insurance plans." Manny laughed to herself.

Manny looked at them in awe seeing her husband and daughter already passed out on the sofa. She grabbed the blanket and pillows out of the closet and softly placed it on them and fluffed the pillow behind them. Sometimes it felt so unreal to Manny actually waking up in a home to people who actually loved her and never judged her. Having the loving family she always wanted. It was everything she could imagine. She softly kissed her husband and daughter before saying a small prayer to herself.

"Thank you Jesus." Manny whispered to herself before kneeling next to her best friend.

As, Manny softly rubbed Emma's hair out of her face she was able to see about four stiches on the peak of her forehead.

"Emma Nelson, the strongest girl I know." Manny smiled while gently gripping her hand.

"Last time I saw you like this you were giving birth to my niece and vice versa." Manny smiled with tears in her eyes.

"And if you don't wake up "Ms. Coo Coo Bananas" you're not going to be here to see your nephew being born!" Manny added rubbing her stomach.

Manny and Emma always dreamed of their future being exactly the way it is now. Having each of their own families and being able to raise them together just as they were when they were kids.

"Who would've thought you'd put up with me long enough to last more than twenty years. You're the best friend any girl could ask for Emma Nelson!" Manny whispered.

Manny definitely took this as a wakeup call. Neither of them saw anything like this ever coming but she was thankful Emma would be okay. No matter how long it would take Emma to wake up she'll be with her every step of the way. Manny thanked God every day for her friendship with Emma.

If there was any girl that never gave up on her from their childhood, to adolescence and even now it was Emma Nelson and vice versa. They were a team. She was glad to have her in her corner through growing up and being there for her through her abortion, when her parents kicked her out, and being part of the reason for how she met the love of her life. It was a long lasting friendship that could last a lifetime and Manny wouldn't trade it for the world.

"We love you Em. And we need you. We need you to wake up, especially your daughter. She needs you more than ever Em especially since she's asking questions that only you can answer." Manny hinted thinking about the question Emily asked Manny while they were looking at her old yearbook.

"She's a smart girl Em. Just like you were at her age. You're gonna have to explain to her sooner or later." Manny yawned.

"I love you Em." Manny sighed while gently hugging her.

With that Manny made herself comfortable snuggling right next to her husband and daughter before falling fast asleep on the sofa.

((((*****))))

It was 2:10 am and Emily was still in the bathroom trying to prepare herself to see her mother. After tonight everything would change maybe for the better or for worst. Luckily, she still had time while she was at home to pack her backpack with everything she needed because she knew tonight would be a long night. Knowing her mother was in Acoma was hard enough already and having to face her everyday while she isn't mentally here with her made it even worst and Emily knew she couldn't handle it.

Emily finally made it to her mother's room and saw Manny, Jay and Cassie passed out on the couch through the doors window. She could ear each of their snoring from outside the room. They must've so wiped out after everything that happened. Emily laughed and shook her head seeing Jay squeezed on the couch because of all the space Manny and Cassie was taking up. There wasn't even space for Emily. They were like a puzzle that all fit perfectly together. A mom and a dad with a daughter that was the spitting image of both of them. Moments like this are what Emily have always desired for.

((((*****))))

She opened the door trying to make little to no noise as much as possible but knew that wouldn't be a problem. She could already tell everyone on that couch were heavily asleep just by the sound of their snores. She was sure a bomb could go off and they wouldn't hear a sound.

Without hurting her mom she gently scooted her over and laid softly on the bed with her. Emily stared at her and slowly traced the lines along her mother's face. She can tell the stress and anxiety has really done a number on her which could've caused her car accident. She's never seen her mother in this position before and knew her stress could be the only reason why. Sometimes Emily just wished she could take all her pain away.

"Hi Mommy." Emily whispered wiping the tears off her face.

"I'm glad you're going to be okay mom. The doctor said you're a fighter and that you're one of the strongest patients they've ever had." Emily said softly.

"I'm sorry I've been such a bad daughter lately. I know I've put you through so much and I'm so sorry mom." Emily cried.

"But I'm just glad you're okay Mom. I don't know what I'd do without you. And I don't want to know." Emily sniffled.

"I know you'll wake up soon. That's how much of a warrior you are mom. This is just a minor setback mommy." Emily assured.

"And when you wake up your going to be even angrier with me because I won't be here. But I would hope you would forgive me just like I'm forgiving you for keeping him away from me all these years." Emily cried letting the tears fall freely from her face.

I'm standing on a bridge

I'm waiting in the dark

I thought that you'd be here by now

"I love you so much mommy. But I can't go another day without knowing who he is. And I hope he would want to know who I am. I hope he's everything I imagined him to be and more." Emily smiled.

"I don't care if he doesn't remember me or maybe not even wanting to know me. He might even have another family. But I have to meet him mom." Emily sighed before getting up.

There's nothing but the rain

No footsteps on the ground

I'm listening but there's no sound

It didn't take long for Emily to realize that life is too short after experiencing her mother's situation that woke her up tremendously. She couldn't wait another day and she needed to leave while she had the chance. It was now or never. It was at a bitter sweet time but it was the right time. No matter what the outcome would be Emily was going to take this chance.

"God I pray he loves me." Emily said shutting her eyes letting tears fall freely again.

Isn't anyone trying to find me?

Won't somebody come take me home?

"And if this is asking for too much I pray my mom's happy. Genuinely happy where she isn't stressed or in pain. Just happy and loved God. I can't see her in pain again or it'll break me." Emily cried cracking her voice.

"She works so hard and she deserves none of this pain. Take away all of her stress and anxiety. Whatever she's going through that she isn't telling me or whatever she's keeping from me, or running away from….. Whatever it is just let her know I love her and that it's going to be okay. Just bring her at peace and make her happy again." Emily cried softly.

Emily kneeled beside her mother and gently squeezed her and looked at her as if almost staring into her soul. "I love you mom and I hope this could fix both of are problems." Emily whispered before giving her mother one last kiss.

((((*****))))

Emily stood up tall preparing herself for the moment that could change her life. It was now or never. She gathered her leather black backpack and tried her best to make as little noise as possible while zipping her black leather jacket. She took one last look at the family in front of her and it instantly reminded of the reason she was doing this.

"It's gonna be okay." Emily said to herself confidently before walking towards the door.

Just as Emily tried to adjust the door knob to finally leave the room, she heard a faint noise that caught her attention from behind. She cursed herself hoping this wasn't the part that she thought would totally ruined her plans.

"Emmy?" A tiresome voice whispered.

Emily knew that voice anywhere which relieved her because that still meant her aunt and uncle were asleep.

Emily slowly turned around trying to be as natural as possible.

"Emmy?" Cassie's voice said louder.

"Shhhh." Emily whispered.

"You're leaving us?" Cassie asked.

"No I'll be back I promise." Emily squealed quietly while patting her cousin back to sleep.

"Where are you going?" Cassie whispered tiredly.

Emily hesitated on answering the question before realizing there was no good reason to lie. After all, she probably wouldn't remember a thing in the morning and both Manny and Jay were still out cold asleep. There was nothing to lose.

"To find my dad." Emily confessed.

It's a damn cold night

Trying to figure out this life

Won't you take me by the hand?

Take me somewhere new

Luckily, Cassie fell asleep before she could even hear the answer. Emily gave her a soft kiss before carefully walking quietly away from the couch. She gave one last look at her mother as well at Manny, Jay and Cassie watching them sleep soundly sleeping on the couch. This was the family she loved and couldn't live without, but there was also a piece of that family that she was missing. Tonight she was determined to find to find it.

((((*****))))

"I love you guys." Emily sighed before closing the door behind her.

"It's gonna be okay." Emily said once again mentally preparing herself.

Within minutes she finally able to make it out of the hospital to proceed the plan that was going to change her life.

"Please God." Emily prayed once again thinking about the prayer she said earlier. She had to meet him and just like she said. It could fix both of their problems. For better or for worse. It was all or nothing and she would accept it for whatever it came to be. Without hesitation Emily finally left the premises and never looked back.

I don't know who you are

But I... I'm with you

I'm with you

"I'm With You" by Avril Lavigne