Chapter 5

Emma pulled her coat around herself a little bit tighter as the automatic doors of the hospital opened and a chilly draft rolled past her soft locks. She couldn't help but feel the slightest bit embarrassed being pushed through the large germ-infested building in a wheelchair but the charge nurse had insisted that it was hospital policy. As much as she despised being made a spectacle, she couldn't argue with the woman. She was just doing her job after all. Emma pushed the embarrassment aside and was pleased to see her husband pull up along the curb as she and the nurse had arrived outside. Will put the car in park and walked around it to help Emma with her bag. Always the gentleman. He put the strap over his shoulder and offered his hand to help her up. "Here Cinderella." His charming smile warmed her heart.

She reached for his hand and stood, happy to be out of the awkward embarrassment of the wheelchair. "Thank you, kind sir." She quipped back with a small grin. She turned around and thanked the nurse for her help and Will collected the discharge and aftercare papers the nurse had for them. He sent her a thank you as well as he opened the passenger-side door and helped Emma into the seat. Once she was settled he quickly walked around to the other side of the car and put her bag in the back, then finally took his seat behind the wheel. "Ready to go?" He asked her, looking for a glimpse of approval before they ventured off.

Emma tore her eyes from the window as she looked to Will, knowing that his question was a loaded one. She inhaled briefly as she looked once more at the bittersweet safety of the hospital.

"Yeah." She finally said, though her hesitancy was evident. With that, Will put the car in drive and the couple left the hospital.

The majority of the drive was silent as Will focused on the road ahead, clearly lost in thought. Emma stared out the window as the scenery passed by, though she too wasn't paying much attention to it. So much had changed in the course of a few days, and it was all she could do to control herself from exploding. It felt wrong driving home and not experiencing the same feeling of comfort she usually had when the car pulled onto the street that had become so routine. Her head betrayed her heart as she tried to seek solace in the familiarity of the buildings and trees that surrounded her but she failing miserably, knowing that the place they were returning to was not one she had been to before. It was somewhere new. Somewhere that held memories of trauma and fear, not ones of love and safety.

An element of anger began to build inside of her that almost seemed to catch her by surprise. She was upset that some stranger, her attacker, held that power over her. What right did he have to take that from her? Her home, one that she had worked so hard to build wonderful memories in, was gone forever and she couldn't help but feel resentful at the man responsible.

Will could see her fidgeting as they pulled into his usual parking spot in front of the stairs leading to their apartment. He let out a sigh as he pulled the keys from the ignition and turned to face his wife. She was still looking out the window, trying not to address the fact that anything was bothering her. Will stared at her for a moment before he broke the silence.

"Emma honey, talk to me. Tell me what you're thinking."

The pet name rolled off of his tongue effortlessly and she could hear the concern in his voice, but she didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want to think about it or feel it anymore. But it wouldn't go away, and she knew Will was only trying to help. She always gave in to him.

She sat up a little straighter in her seat as she turned to face Will, finally making eye contact.

"I'm angry." The confession came out more smoothly than she thought her voice was capable of.

"I'm angry that this happened. I'm mad that whoever this person is invaded our space like that. I'm mad he hurt me and risked our baby's life. I'm mad that he stole from us, and I'm mad that that," She gestured up toward the apartment, "can never be our home again. It's not fair Will! Why does this have to happen to us?" Her cheeks were tinted red as the anger began to swell. "As soon as things are going well and we are really happy the universe always has to do something to screw it up!" Emma knew she was worked up but couldn't help her emotions once again spilling over. Though this time she had no more tears to spare. Instead she let out a long breath.

Will looked at her with eyes of pain, not really sure where to begin. He ran a hand through his hair out of habit. The gesture was mildly comforting to her.

"You're right. It's not fair. You shouldn't have been attacked. You shouldn't have someone stalking you. But Em, that's what happened and all we can do now is try to heal and move on. I know it may not seem like it right now but things will get better." He was trying his best to sound convincing, even thought he had his own doubts on the matter. It was becoming harder and harder for him to maintain his composure. He just hoped she could hear the sincerity in his voice.

Emma sighed yet again. "You're right Will. I'm sorry I've been so emotional. I just…I'm really scared." Emma's confession stabbed once more at the guilt that had slowly been building inside of Will. He couldn't help but feel responsible for what happened. Maybe if he had been a better husband, he would have noticed that someone had taken extra interest in his wife. Perhaps if he had paid more attention, the whole thing never would have happened. Maybe if he hadn't been working late at glee it would have been him being attacked and not Emma. His precious Emma. His wife. The mother of his unborn child. His best friend and the love of his life. And he couldn't even protect her. He had failed at his most important job and now she was injured. It was all starting to feel like too much as tears began to build. One slid down his cheek as he looked at her.

Confusion spread across her features as she reached for her husband's hand. This was obviously not the reaction she had been anticipating. He took her hand willingly, reveling in the comfort it provided.

"Will, what's wrong?" She asked, pleading for him to share what he was thinking.

"I'm so sorry Em." He choked out the words, "This is all my fault." The tears began to flow freely now as he silently scanned her face for any sign of regret in her decision to be with him.

"What?" She squeaked out, truly shocked at Wills statement.

Will looked down at their intertwined hands to avoid her gaze. "It's my fault this happened. If I had been a better husband you never would have been attacked and you wouldn't have someone stalking you. I couldn't protect my own family. I understand if you don't want to forgive me." She watched him as he timidly studied their hand, vulnerability etched into his every movement. Emma knew will had his insecurities but she never expected that he would feel responsible for something like this. She knew better than anyone how much Will loved her, and knew without a doubt in her mind that he always tried his best when it came to their relationship. She simply could not believe that thought of guilt for what happened had even crossed his mind.

"Will," She said, waiting for him to look up. He didn't. He held an element of shyness about him that she was unfamiliar with.

"Will," She said again, this time reaching her other hand over to gently move his face to meet her eyes. "This isn't your fault." She said, gesturing to her cast. "None of this is."

Will scanned her face once more, looking for signs of truth.

"But-"

"No Will, listen to me for a minute. The only person at fault here is the man who attacked me. There was no way for you to know that I had a stalker. I didn't even know I had one. Sometimes these things just happen." Wills tears began to cease as her words of comfort warmed his insecurities. "You are the best husband anyone could have wished for and I am thankful every day that you are willing to share yourself with me. And I know I can get through this because I have you. We can get through this because we have each other." She placed a soft kiss to his hand. "Please don't blame yourself for something that was out of your control." Emma's reassurances flooded over him like a wave of confidence.

"You're right Em. We will get through this. Together." He stated as he leaned in and captured her lips in his. "Thank you Emma." His eyes were filled with nothing but love and gratuity.

"Anything for you Will. You've always been there for me. The least I could do is return the favor." She squeezed his hand as a small smile graced both of their lips.

Will was first to break eye contact as he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking to the apartment.

"I guess we should go in." Emma could tell he was trying to convince himself more than anything.

Her gaze followed his as she looked to the staircase leading to the now ominous apartment. "I suppose you're right."

They both climbed out of the car; Will retrieving Emma's discarded over-night bag and Emma walking around to her husband's side. They joined hands and headed for the stairs, willing to battle their demons; so long as they were together. Will fiddled with the keys for a brief moment before finally unlocking the door. Emma unconsciously held her breath as her husband pushed the door open and she squeezed his hand tightly.

As the couple walked through the threshold Emma couldn't help but frantically scan the area with her senses for signs of change. Anything at all out of the ordinary. She was thankful to see the area looked just as it usually did.

Will must have cleaned up for her when he stopped by the other day. The only differences were the small hole in the wall from where her head had made contact and the picture of a quiet park scene that usually hung on the same wall was missing. Emma guessed that it had likely fallen when her head hit the wall and smashed to the floor. She hadn't recalled the picture falling but at the time it was hard to focus on anything besides the shock she had felt and the splitting pain in her head.

Emma shook off the memory as Will guided her through the bedroom, not wanting her to linger for too long in the entryway. They packed up what they needed for the next few weeks quickly and efficiently and before Emma knew it they were back in the car. The apartment had been easier to process than she had earlier anticipated. Now they were on to their next adventure. She sincerely hoped that staying with a good friend would be easier than anticipated too. Though she knew that was probably just wishful thinking.

So this isn't the most epic of chapters but it needed to be done. I love how much of a support Will is for Emma, but I also love seeing Emma be just as supportive for Will. The next chapter will have a bit more development and will hopefully be up soon so be on the lookout. If you have a chance, please leave a review. I would love to hear what you think worked/didn't work/needs changing/etc. Happy Valentine's day!

~Finleybaby