Emma sits in the chair next to Regina, clenching Regina's hand, and stares at her face. She jumps when Henry sprints into the room.
"Mom!" he yells, and slides up next to Regina. His face drops. "Mom?" He gently nudges his shoulder then looks to Emma. "You said she's awake."
"No, I said she woke up," Emma says, keeping her eyes on Regina.
"That implies she's awake! What the hell, Ma?" Henry glares at the side of her head.
Emma turns and realizes her mistake when she sees his expression. "Oh, shit, Henry, I'm sorry. I was so excited, and I knew what I meant by that text."
"Yeah, well, that leaves one of us. Thanks a lot," he huffs, dropping into the chair next to Regina.
Emma smiles at him. "But she did wake up. It was only a few minutes, and all she did was squeeze my hand and open those incredibly gorgeous eyes I've been missing."
Henry raises an eyebrow at her.
"Hey, you'd feel the same way if this was Grace years from now." She smiles at him then lays her head on Regina's leg to keep studying Regina's face for any change.
"I'd be so lucky to have her around," Henry mumbles before taking Regina's other hand.
"You okay, kid?" Emma manages to tear her eyes from Regina to give Henry her attention.
He shrugs. "I like her a lot, and I don't wanna mess it up. She's still pretty mad at me for Amelia."
"Just make sure you are honest with her from now on. She'll forgive you. We all make mistakes. If your mom can forgive me, Grace can forgive you."
They smile at each other.
"Hen…ry."
The both turn at the deep raspy voice coming from the hospital bed. Regina's eyes are still closed but her mouth is slightly open.
"Mom?" Henry asks weakly. He smiles when she squeezes his hand. He looks at Emma. "She's-"
Emma holds up Regina's hand gripping her own. "Me too, kid." She runs her free hand down Regina's cheek. "Hey, babe. We're here."
Regina slowly opens her eyes and looks back and forth at them, squeezing their hands tighter. "Wh-where?"
Henry looks at Emma, unsure what to say. Emma kisses her forehead then explains, "We are at the hospital. Do you remember passing out at the airport?"
Regina blinks a few times. Her mouth barely opens then shuts as she looks around the room.
"Can you see out of this eye yet?" Emma holds her hand over Regina's right eye.
Regina stares up at her hand. "S-some."
"She must be strong-willed and ready to start talking."
Emma and Henry spin around to see Dr. Russler in the doorway, Mary Margaret and Gen to the side of the room.
Dr. Russler moves to the side Emma is standing on and presses so close that Emma has no choice but to drop Regina's hand and step back. "Hello, Mrs. Mills."
"Who?" Regina asks.
"I'm Dr. Russler. You'll be happy to know the bleeding on your brain has seized and the contusion is healing. I hear your vision is returning. That is great news. At this rate, you'll be up and talking in no time." She turns her head and smirks at Emma.
Emma rolls her eyes. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want her to be healed, Doctor, so keep your judgement to yourself."
Regina squeezes Henry's hand. He bends down in her ear. "They think Ma did this to you on purpose."
Regina's eyes widen. "N-no. No. She-she-"
Emma pushes past the doctor and grabs Regina's face. "Everything's fine. Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." A tear rolls down Regina's face. Emma wipes it away with her thumb then kisses Regina's forehead. "I love you."
Regina moves her mouth a few times, trying to form words.
Emma smiles and kisses her lips. "I know."
Dr. Russler clears her throat and gestures for Emma to step back. Once Emma complies, she waits for Regina to look at her. "We have some tests to run. We need to make sure your body is waking up properly and that you still have mobility. This will help us determine any lasting effects from your…" she looks back and glares at Emma, "accident."
"Feel free to say what's really bothering you, doctor," Gen pipes up from the corner.
Emma smiles at her then almost laughs at the irritation on Dr. Russler's face.
"There'll be plenty of that soon enough." She turns back to Regina. "As soon as you're ready, we're all so interested in what you have to say. Get rest, Mrs. Mills. The nurses will be in soon."
Regina watches the doctor leave then looks back up at Emma. Emma smiles down at her. "She's nice, right?" She notices Regina's hand moving on the bed and interlocks their fingers. "They may have it out for me, but Gen's got me covered."
Gen steps forward to the foot of the bed. "Hello, Regina." Regina's eyes widen and her grip loosens in Emma's hand. Gen smiles. "It's good to see you again."
Emma looks back and forth between them. "You know you're telling me about this when you can talk again, right?" she says to Regina.
After a moment, Regina looks back up at Emma, tightening her grip again. "Em-ma."
Emma smiles. "I love the way you say my name."