The plane ride felt like a million years, but all three made it to the hospital in one piece. Sprinting through the halls, Emma barely avoids slamming into nurses, staff, and patients, her mind zeroed in on one thing: Regina.
She skids to a halt once she finally finds Regina's room. Right before her is Mary Margaret, a chair pulled next to Regina, reading a book out loud.
Struggling to catch his breath, Henry pulls up next to her, equally as surprised at the sight.
Gen, who felt no need to sprint through the hospital, steps up behind them a few moments later. "Things do not change upon entering the room, Emma. Go to her."
"Will she know I'm here?" Emma asks hopefully.
"Many studies suggest coma patients are aware that people are with them. I would think the odds favor the decision to be optimistic in this case."
"Optimistic," Emma derides. "Yeah, I'll work on that."
Henry takes Emma's hand. "Come on, Ma. Let's go let Mom know we're here." She lets him drag her to Regina's bed.
Mary Margaret jumps, but stays silent when she sees their eyes zoomed in on Regina. Instead, she simply moves the chair away and goes to meet Gen. Holding out her hand, she introduces herself, "I'm Mary Margaret. Regina is my daughter-in-law."
Gen shakes her hand. "No, she's not."
"Yes, she is. That's why I've been here."
"You are Emma's mother, I presume?" When she nods, Gen continues, "Ms. Swan and Ms. Mills are not married; however, you are maintaining this façade for this hospital?"
Mary Margaret nods. "They weren't going to tell us what happened to her otherwise. The doctor only wanted to talk to Henry, but we argued that he's our grandson. Assumptions were made, so we went with it. Please don't tell the hospital."
"I think you made a wise decision. There is no need for the hospital to know. Who is the doctor? I have a few questions to ask concerning her condition."
"It's Doctor- wait, who are you?" Mary Margaret suddenly asks, realizing they never got past her small fib.
Gen extends her hand again. "Genevieve Roland. I am Ms. Swan's attorney in the case against her employer. I am also an acquaintance of Regina."
"Oh, so you're here as a friend? That's nice."
"I wish that were the case. Your daughter is in need of legal assistance due to Regina's condition."
Mary Margaret puts a hand to her forehead. "That's right. The doctor said the hospital social worker would be talking to Regina."
"The doctor's name?"
"Russler."
Gen excuses herself and leaves the room.
Mary Margaret turns to see Emma and Henry on opposite sides of the bed staring silently at Regina, both too afraid to step forward as if they might disturb her. Wanting to support her daughter, Mary Margaret carefully steps next to Emma and puts her hand on her arm.
Emma slowly tears away her eyes to look at Mary Margaret.
Slightly taken aback at how pale Emma has suddenly become, Mary Margaret steps closer. "She'll be glad to know you're here, Emma."
Emma starts sobbing and throws her arms around Mary Margaret. Becoming too weak to stand, her knees buckle so Mary Margaret lowers them to the ground, letting Emma cry into her neck and clutch onto her shirt.
At the sight of his mother crying, Henry breaks down too. He rushes around the bed and drops down to the ground, glad when Mary Margaret opens up her other arm to him.
Fighting her own tears, Mary Margaret holds both crying Swans until they can't form tears any longer.
Nearly an hour later, Gen returns with Dr. Russler at her side.
Mary Margaret rubs Henry and Emma's backs to coax them into standing from the floor. "We have a visitor," she says softly to them.
They both take deep breaths and pull themselves together. Henry reaches out a hand to help Mary Margaret stand.
The doctor waits for all of them to turn their attention to her. "I'm Dr. Russler." She extends her hand to Henry. "Henry Mills?"
"Swan-Mills," Henry corrects.
She nods and turns to Emma. "You are Mrs. Mills' wife?"
Emma notices Gen's indiscreet nod. "Yes, Emma Swan." She shakes the doctor's hand.
"As long as it is alright with your son and mother, I would like to take you to my office. Along with Ms. Roland."
Emma's eyes dart between everyone in the room. "I- I just got here. I want to spend time with Regina- with my wife."
The doctor nods. "I understand. This will only take a few moments so that there are no surprises in the morning. Please, right this way." The doctor turns and gestures for the door.
Emma looks at Gen. "What is this?"
Gen takes Emma's arm. "A necessary step. We will be back soon. Dr. Russler is ready to go home for the day."
A short walk takes them to a large corner office where Emma and Gen take a seat in chairs across the desk from Dr. Russler. She folds her hand on the desk and looks directly at Emma. "Emma, I have already spoken with Ms. Roland, and there are a few things you need to be prepared for."
Emma shifts uncomfortably. "Is she going to be okay?"
"This matter concerns you, ma'am. I am happy to discuss your wife's condition tomorrow, or you can speak with the nursing staff and your mother. We won't know of any changes until results are in tomorrow."
Gen looks at her and nods. Emma takes a deep breath. "Okay then. What is it?"
"Tomorrow morning," Dr. Russler begins. "The hospital social worker will be coming to get you for an interview. You may, of course, have Ms. Roland attend the meeting. Your wife's condition is considered the result of assault based on the account from your parents."
Emma grits her teeth and sighs, disdain returning towards her parents' involvement since Sunday evening.
"The social worker will ask you for your detailed account of the situation."
"Then what?" Emma asks nervously.
"There are no charges at this point, so the social worker will need to wait for Regina to regain consciousness to continue the case."
Emma scoots to the edge of the chair. "So Regina's going to wake up. When?"
The doctor holds up her hand. "She should wake up. Eventually. The bleeding has to stop first."
"The bleeding? But she wasn't cut."
The doctor stands. "Emma, I apologize, but this will have to continue tomorrow. I am well past my shift hours. Prepare yourself for tomorrow, and choose your words carefully." She moves to the door and holds it open for them.