Emma

Ruby and I ate in my room in silence. My face is dry and still a little salty from my tears. I don't remember the last time I ever cried like that in front anyone. Ruby looks hurt much than I do. When I told her that Bae is now blind, she hasn't been her all goofy/flirty self ever since I just broke into tears.

I picked on my salad with my fork. My eyes looked straight at Ruby instead of my food. I tried to cheer her up with some stories about Killian, but I can't win a single of her sweet smiles. "Rubes, will you look at me?"

She lifted her head. She looks tired and her eyes are red from crying. The expression on her face makes me feel like she's shooting a gun straight at me. I never seen Ruby this upset and hurt in my life. The closest I ever got was when this rookie musician dumped her for this Australian actress.

"What? Do you need anything?"

I shook my head. "Rubes...I know you're hurt. And I know I should have never told you anything about this..."

"No. No, I'm glad you told me. It's not something you can tell anyone to, but it is something important to know about...Things are really different, Emma. Things really are. And for the first time, in a long time, I can see how everything is now. You know from the beginning when Bae left and you started coming to work alone and more often than you use to, I kept clinging on to the past. The times when I get orders from customers in the diner, you or Bae will save me if any gross guy touches my behind or at least try to grab anywhere else; I would always laugh when Bae tries to steal a kiss from you and I grab on to you so you can hold still; I sometimes come over to your apartment and you and Bae will fight about who's turn it it to change Henry's diaper; and arranging secret surprise birthday parties in the diner. I held all those memories and those memorable times to myself, even when that never happened again...But now I'm starting to let them all go. Because it clearly is no longer possible. Whether Bae is blind or not. How can we have the once happy family we always were ever again? How can any of us be ourselves again?"

I dropped my fork and reached for her hand. As my hand met hers, I folded my fingers tightly to her hand. "Rubes, listen to me. You're right. We are never going to be the same. No matter how much we want them to...I never realized I wasn't the only one who wished for the past to repeat itself again. But for now we must do what's best for Bae. Let's swallow our pain and hopes. I'm going to get better and take care of myself the right way for now on, so I can be strong and healthy to nurse Bae. After a month or two, I'll tell Henry about his father. Right now isn't the time. It's hard as it is that Bae was once a thief, a runaway father, and now a blind man."

Ruby placed her other hand on top of mine. "I'll help you in any way. This secret is something my mouth will easily keep. I promise."

I curved a weak smile. "Thank you, Rubes. How could I ever live without you?"

~ Dr. Harris came in with the papers. I sat up straight from the bed while Ruby threw the leftover trash from our lunch into the trash can. I started to fill out the application on the bed stand. After a long moment, I handed him the papers. He handed me a prescribed package as I stood up.

"Make sure you take these pills after every meal. Don't skip a single meal and get plenty of rest. I hope your friend here can arrange a vacation for your job."

Ruby nodded. "I'll remember that, doctor."

"Thank you, doctor. By the way, you didn't hand me the receipt for my stay here."

"Oh. Not to worry, someone already paid that for you."

I bit my lower lip hard. Oh gosh, Killian why did you had to that? Huh. He already makes me feel guilty enough. "Who was it?"

"A gentleman named Jimmy Hopper. Is he a friend of yours?"

I released a relief sigh. I nodded. "Yes. A very good friend. Thank you so much for everything you did."

"Of course. And I advise you to come visit to the hospital if you get any headaches or a sudden pressure in your chest. I will be free for your time in any day."

"Alright."

Ruby wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "So, doc is that all. I wanna take my girl home right away."

Dr. Harris looked down at his wrist watch a little nervously. He looked at us both after looking at the time for a long moment. "...Um, of course. G-good day, Ms. Swan. I hope you recover soon enough."

"Thank you again, Dr. Harris. Goodbye."

The three of us went out the door. Ruby and I went straight to the hallway to find the exit. Ms. Swan? That's odd. Ever since Bae showed up to the hospital, Dr. Harris continued to address me as Mrs. Swan. Strange...Oh well, it must had been a mistake.