"Slightly malnourished, cut hands, bruised trachea, bruises and cuts, evidence of sexual and physical abuse and a developing infant," the doctor says, examining a clipboard.
Emma sits on an examination table in the hospital, dressed in a hospital robe and although it wasn't the most comfortable, anything was better than the rags she'd been forced to wear for the past few months. Several security guards had been positioned outside to protect Emma from Arthur while she had a full examination.
"And you're certain you're with child?"
"Yes," Emma nods. "I've had morning sickness and I've felt movement."
"Well, I'll set up an ultrasound as soon as possible, but other than that, I must say that you are a very lucky woman to have endured captivity for so long. I now insist that you get some rest before the police arrive to take your statements."
"And my family… Have they been called?"
"Yes Ma 'me they have."
Emma manages a smile a little bit before she begins to cry a little bit. The doctor reaches over and puts his hand on her shoulder. Emma flinches at first but the doctor then helps her off the table. A nurse then comes to bring the survivor down the hallway.
"You'll be escorted to a private room and there will be officers stationed at the door for protection," the nurse says.
"Thank you, doctor," Emma says before several officers lead her and the nurse down the hall.
"I wish you the best of luck my dear," the doctor smiles before he exits in the opposite direction.
As they go down the hall lit by fluorescent lights, Emma can't help that she feels almost like a celebrity with the bodyguards around to protect her. However, the happy moment fades quickly as she becomes worried about if Arthur had been caught and whether he might be lurking around in the halls somewhere. She doesn't know why she should be so afraid of him, she's safe now, away from that hell hole and will soon be reunited with her son. She then realizes that she called all her other friends, family, which seemed unusual, but it had to be true all of them were trying to help her, even August and they cared about her so much. She feels tears in her eyes; she'd never had a real permanent family before or felt like she ever really belonged anywhere, but now that she knew everyone she loved returned that affection, her heart was overwhelmed with joy.
Once they come to a room deep in the hospital, the nurse follows Emma in. The bed is a typical hospital bed with an adjustable back, but compared to the one she'd been forced to sleep in before, it was heaven. She couldn't wait to go back to her own home and sleep in her own bed again, surrounded by familiar settings.
"I'll be back in a few hours to bring you some food, but for now just try to rest," the nurse says gently.
Emma crawls under the sanitized covers and lays back, happy for a comfortable pillow. "Thank you."
"I'll just be a call away if you need anything."
"Will you let me know the minute my son and friends get here?" Emma asks.
"Of course," the nurse says with a smile. She then turns the lights out and exits.
Emma lays back on the bed, trying to get comfortable. The room was darkened for her sake and felt empty. There was only a single chair by the window and another hospital bed on the opposite end of the room that could be separated from her with the curtain. The only sounds were the humming of nearby machinery and the wind outside. Emma wasn't sure what time it was, but it was likely late. She didn't really want to sleep, wanting to hold Henry in her arms again and kiss Killian. She was happy, but also afraid, especially if she was carrying Arthur's baby. Would Killian still want to be with her? Especially if she was pregnant with another man's baby? It wasn't by choice of course but still made her very nervous.
She tries to clear her head and get at least some sleep.
…
She must've fallen asleep for at least a few hours because when she wakes up, it's still dark out. She sits up and stretches out a little bit, feeling slightly better but something was off. Very off. The room was completely silent and the only light was coming from the windows. In the chair that was next to the window sat a figure. A large figure who sat as if he had been waiting for her. Emma's heart drops into her stomach.
"Think you could get rid of me that easy did you?"
Emma begins to hyperventilate as the voice was the same gruff one she'd heard for the past few months. She wants to scream but the sound is caught in her throat. She thinks she might be able to run, but the figure is coming toward too quickly. She can see that he has some sort of weapon, a blade most likely. She prepares herself to be ready to fight, but the figure is on her within a few moments. Emma begins to thrash around, fighting as hard as she can. His hot breath is on her face the entire weight of his body is crushing her ribs. She screams out and fights Arthur with all the strength in her. Arthur begins to laugh maniacally as he pins her to the bed and then presses the blade to her throat. Emma is crying and using any strength she has to fight.
Where were the officers who were guarding her room? Couldn't they hear her screams? Emma now lays still with the blade against her throat.
"You might be free from me physically, but you still have something that belongs to me." he hisses. "And I'm going to get it one way or another." He then puts his arm against her throat, cutting off her air supply and he rips her hospital gown open. He raises the blade up and Emma lets out another scream before he brings it down on her stomach.
…
Emma bolts upward in the bed, panting and sweating like crazy. Her heart beat is hitting overdrive and her eyes burn from crying. She blinks several times trying to process where she was. The bed is completely rumpled with her blankets practically on the floor and her pillow sideways. There was sunlight coming through the curtains and the chair was empty. Where was Arthur? Where was the blade? Was the baby okay? She hears the door open and two officers stare in at her.
"Are you alright, Ma 'me?" they ask with concern. "You were screaming."
Emma wipes her face before she takes a deep breath to relax.
"I-I'm fine," she says weakly. "It was just a nightmare."
"Quite the nightmare," one of them says. "You were shouting, 'No Stop!' Are you sure you're all right?"
"Has anyone been in my room at all?" Emma asks.
"No one ma 'me, we've been sure of that."
"O-Okay," she breathes. "Could you tell the nurse to bring me some food please?"
"Yes," one of the officer's nods and both exit, shutting the door behind them.
Emma lays back and wipes her brow, calming her entire body down. The baby seems to dislike the stress because it kicks in response to her nightmare.
It's not real, she thinks to herself. You're safe now and he can never harm you again.
…
After a meal, Emma becomes bored and wants to do something, but the nurse insists that she stay in bed until the doctor comes to examine her again as well as do the ultrasound.
Emma's mind wanders back to what Killian would think about the baby? Should she give it up for adoption? She did consider that with Henry once, but the thought still fills her with dread and sadness. What can you tell a baby who was conceived in the most violent way possible and not wanted in the first place? Emma remembers that this was how she was brought into the world apparently, left on the side of a highway, her parents didn't seem to want her at all, not even bothering to bring her to a hospital. She puts her hand on her stomach. She would never do that to this baby… she'd want to give him or her a proper home…
Suddenly there are voices out in the halls. It's becoming a bit confusing and even hostile at one point as it escalates to yelling until the officer knocks on her door.
"Miss Swan?" he asks.
"Yes?"
"There are people out here saying they know you."
"She's my mother!" a familiar voice shouts.
"HENRY!" Emma shrieks, getting out of bed. Her eyes filling with tears and her heart beat pounds against her chest.
"MOM!"
The teenage boy goes under the officer's arm and runs to his mother. She embraces him fully. Her entire body is bursting with joy and she's crying like there's no tomorrow. She squeezes her son as tightly as she can, never wanting to let go. He doesn't seem to mind as he too is crying, and holding his mother, hoping she doesn't disappear. Never has she felt this happy since the day he was born and she held him for the first time. She embraces his smell and runs a hand through his hair, feeling like this was a dream. A wonderful dream that she never wanted to wake up from.
Once they finally break apart, Emma kisses his forehead and just clutches his face in her hands.
"When did you get to be so big?" she asks in good humor. He looks so different from the last time they saw each other. He'd grown a few inches and his hair had lengthened. His eyes look tired, clearly, someone who had endured a lot of heartbreak, but now those eyes were filled with happy tears and joy to see his mother again.
"I love you Mom," Henry whispers.
"I love you too Bug,"
Henry smiles, never thinking that he'd be happy to hear that name again.
"I missed you," he weeps.
"I missed you too. Not a day went by that I didn't think of you," she says, holding him against her chest, which was harder since he was much taller now.
"Never leave me again," he says.
"I promise."
"Ma' me there are other people out here too," the officer says, becoming a little choked up at the tearful reunion.
"Let them in," Emma says.
"EMMA!"
The first to come in is her best friend. The woman screams in joy before embracing Emma fully. Her hazel eyes are filled with tears and she clings to her friend as if she will save her life. A fresh set of tears come to Emma's eyes and she holds her dear friend. Behind her, is David, carrying a baby bucket. He places it down and rushes over, wanting his turn with his friend. He practically squashes his wife in between them.
"Oh gawd Emma it's you!" he says, tearfully. He kisses her head and puts her head against his chest.
"It's me, David," Emma says smiling through the tears.
"I'm so sorry Emma, I worked day and night trying to find you but it wasn't…"
"It's okay David," Emma says, kissing his cheek. "It doesn't matter anymore."
The three of them hug until all their muscles are sore.
"Alright, what about me? Am I chopped liver?" another familiar voice asks.
"Regina!" Emma says, embracing her other friend.
"I'm glad you're okay," the dark-haired woman says.
The two hold onto one another, Regina rubbing Emma's shoulders in comfort.
"Thank you for taking care of Henry," Emma says.
"I wouldn't have done anything else," Regina says. "I always knew that you would be found."
"I thought I did," Mary Margret says happily. The entire room laughs.
The teacher goes over and then takes her son out of his bucket. She rocks him gently to ensure that he stays asleep and then goes over.
"Would the godmother like to hold her godchild?" she asks.
Emma is crying again and nods. Carefully, Mary Margret puts Jacob in her arms.
"Emma Swan, this is Jacob Robert Nolan."
The little one makes a noise and at one point opens his eyes to see who is holding him.
"He's beautiful," Emma whispers through the tears. "He looks just like you David."
"I still think he looks like Snow," he jokes, wiping away his own tears and putting his arm around Emma. Henry stands on the other side of his mom, not wanting to leave her side as Emma lets the little one grab her finger with his whole fist. The room is filled with happy memories of a family finally reunited.
…
Not long after, more members of that family arrive.
"GIRL!" Ruby shouts, causing Jacob to scream out in fear. Ruby wraps Emma in the biggest bear hug and kisses her friend's cheek. Emma can't help but laugh, so happy to see her dirty and dyed-hair friend again.
"I knew you'd make it out, I knew you would," Ruby says, crying fully, her mascara running down her cheeks and kisses Emma's cheeks again.
Lacey is next.
"Emma I'm so sorry if it hadn't been for my birthday…"
Emma shuts her up by hugging her tightly. "It's okay Lacey, it doesn't matter anymore."
Lacey sighs and begins to cry in her friend's arms.
Aurora and MeyLing greet their long-lost friend with many hugs.
"I missed you so much," MeyLing says.
"I was so worried," Aurora adds.
"You won't have to worry now, how's baby Phillip?" Emma asks.
"He's not a baby anymore…"
Finally, Elsa embraces her close friend and won't let go for a long time.
"I'm so happy you're safe," she says.
"Me too," Emma jokes.
Her face then turns serious.
"Where's Anna?"
"She's with Killian and August," the platinum blonde leaves out the ex-fiancé for right now. "They've been searching all over the state for you. They called earlier, they'll be here really soon."
Emma's heart explodes as she wants to hold Killian again. They hadn't known each other all that long, but she wanted him to take her into his arms and soothe her with that voice of his and hypnotize her with his soulful eyes.
The room buzzes with pleasant conversation for several hours, no one dares ask Emma what happened to her, until a dark-haired man clad in black leather and wearing chains around his neck, runs down the hall as fast as he can.
Emma's heart nearly breaks her ribcage when she hears that voice.
"Swan?!"
Reunion Part 2 coming soon