Chapter 10
Regina took a step into her old room and let out a breath. She was glad it was changed as she put their bags down. She used her magic to make the bed a bit bigger and smiled as Mal was looking out the window. "I used to sneak out of that window and sit on the rooftop at night. I'd spend hours just gazing at the stars and wishing my way out of here."
"And look at you now, my love. A successful mayor in a town that…tolerates you." Mal chuckled affectionately. "You've come so far."
"Mommy? What's this?" Emma asked, pointing to the string in the hallway hanging from the ceiling.
Regina looked over and smiled. "That is the attic. Maybe we'll go up there tomorrow and see what my mother saved of mine. For now, how about we wash up and go on down for dinner."
It didn't take long for Emma and Zelena to become as thick as thieves. Emma felt comfortable and safe and loved joking around with Zelena while Zelena found Emma to be a breath of fresh air. They were giggling and teasing Regina all while Regina just smiled and took it, loving seeing Emma be accepted.
That night, the four of them sat in front of a fire, Emma letting Zelena run her fingers through her hair. It didn't take long and she was falling asleep. "I go to bed, Auntie Zee." Emma said and rubbed her eyes. "I love having you as my auntie."
Zelena smiled. "I love having you as my Emma. Sleep well."
Regina and Mal bid their good nights and took Emma upstairs to bed.
Over the next week, Regina went through things and while she hadn't expected much, she was happy to have a suitcase full of childhood memorabilia, and a date for Zelena to come visit her in the future. The two had been able to have a good heart to heart and their bond was stronger than ever.
A day after returning home, Maleficent noticed Emma seemed much more clingy than usual, although she denied anything being wrong. She was searching online for therapists while Regina was at work when she heard Emma getting sick in the bathroom. "Well, at least now I know what's going on." Mal said with a sigh as she went in. She sat on the floor by Emma and rubbed her back. "Not feeling good?" She wasn't sure which version of Emma she had right now.
Her question was answered when Emma scurried into her lap. "Make it stop, Mama." She groaned and then leaned into the toilet again.
Mal rubbed her back and held her hair back. "When you think you're ready, we'll get you back in bed with a sick bowl."
"No. Mama stay wif me." Emma said, rubbing her eyes.
Mal smiled lightly. "I will, baby girl. Do you think you can brush your teeth though? I'll get the sick bowl and be right back, I promise."
Emma nodded and Mal helped her up. She groaned and then sneezed. "Mama, I really don't feel so good."
"I know, baby. Brush your teeth and I'll bring up some med…something to make you feel better." Maleficent was glad Emma didn't catch what she almost said as she nodded and started brushing her teeth. "That's my good girl."
Mal went down stairs and called Regina. "She's so sick. Throwing up and sneezing, I think she has a fever, but I haven't used the thermometer yet. Seems like a good flu bug. Do we have anything to give her?"
"Let's start with seeing if she has a fever. If she does, we give her tylenol. If not, let's look at Theraflu or the like. I don't have either in any kind she'd take if she's in her kidspace though."
"I was afraid of that. I hate to take her to the store. Maybe Sarah has something."
"No, no. I'll stop on my way home. I'm taking off early because I have a nasty headache."
"Oh boy. I'll have two sick girls to watch over." Mal said, though she smiled softly, watching as Emma came down and snuggled into her. "Baby, I was coming back up. You should be in bed."
"Want Mama." Emma said, hugging her. "And Mommy."
Regina laughed softly. "Mal baby, you have a meeting tomorrow. Tuck her in and tell her I'll be home soon. I don't need you getting sick too."
"I'll try that." Mal said, pouring a glass of orange juice in a sippy cup. "I love you."
"Love you Mommy." Emma said, though anyone could tell she wasn't feeling good.
Maleficent put the phone on speaker. "I love you, Princess. You lay in bed and Mommy will be home soon. Mommy isn't feeling great either, baby. We can cuddle together."
Emma smiled softly at that. "Okay, Mommy."
Maleficent grabbed a large bowl and she and Emma went up to the room. "Try to drink some juice baby." Mal said, tucking Emma in.
Emma took the cup and took a few sips. "It hurts my throat, Mama."
"Okay baby. It's okay. I'll change it to ice water for now."
Emma took a drink and smiled. "Thanks, Mama." She curled on her side. "My tummy hurts and my head hurts."
"I know, baby." Maleficent said, holding the thermometer to her head. "You do have a fever, baby. Can you close your eyes and rest while I call the doctor and just make sure we're doing everything right for you?" Emma nodded and closed her eyes and Mal knew for a fact she was sick. Any other day it was a struggle to get her to rest. "The bowl is right here."
Maleficent stepped out to the hall and made a call. After talking to a nurse, she checked on Emma and saw she was sleeping, so she went downstairs again. Regina came in and Mal could tell she wasn't feeling good either. "I got a few medications. How is she?"
"Small fever, an upset stomach, headache, and went down with no fighting."
Regina chuckled, taking her shoes off. "So, she's sick. She would never go down without a fight." She said, rubbing her temples.
"I think you both are. Go on and get changed and I'll bring up the medicine."
Regina shook her head. "Babe, you can't get sick."
"Okay, but I've already been around Emma all day. I can always reschedule my meeting if I wake up sick, but in the meantime, I want to take care of my girls." She bit at her lip. "Emma's acting a bit more little than usual."
"It's probably because she's sick."
"I figured, but wanted to warn you. I…we've never done it, but I can't help but wonder if we should do diapers?"
"I don't know. We can talk to her."
In the end, Emma didn't want diapers, and neither Regina nor Mal pushed it. Regina was able to get both her and Emma showered and changed while Mal changed the sheets. The blonde only fought a little when it came to taking medicine, and soon enough, she and Regina were both sleeping, cuddling up with each other.
When Regina's phone rang, Mal looked at it and seeing it was Zelena, she answered. "Sorry, Regina is sleeping right now as she and Emma are a bit sick."
"Oh that's too bad." Zelena said, genuinely feeling down. "I um…well I missed you all once you left, and I decided to come visit as a surprise. I'm in town now."
"Oh." Mal said, though she did smile. "Hey, come on over. Unless you don't want to catch what they have, I can get you a room at a hotel."
"No, I mean, I was around all of you anyway. Besides, maybe I can help."
"Come on over then. I have a pretty important meeting tomorrow, and Regina is insisting I stay away from them, but I feel bad not helping out."
"Then I will do everything I can. I loved seeing all of you…my family."
Mal smiled. "Come on over, Zee." Once she hung up, she checked in on Regina and Emma who were both sleeping and went to get the guest room ready. When Zelena came, she opened the door so the door bell would not wake up the others. "Come on in. Regina and Emma are out and I think that's good for them."
Zelena gave Mal a hug and came in. "Thanks. I'm sorry to surprise you, but I missed you all." She put her bag down. "I want to surprise Regina, but I'm thinking of moving here."
Mal smiled. "She'd love that; we all would." She showed her to the guest room and the two of them then went down to the kitchen. "I think those two would sleep all night, but I'd like to try to get them to eat some soup."
"Mind if I cook it?" Zelena asked. "I love making chicken soup."
"Go for it. We should have everything you need."
The two chatted as Zelena got to cooking, loving that she was able to do this. Emma groaned as she turned and then sat up, rushing to the bathroom to empty her stomach. After brushing her teeth and putting a robe on, she came down sleepily and leaned on Mal who was sitting on a stool at the counter. "I feel so sick."
Mal wasn't sure if this was big or little Emma, but she put an arm around her and rubbed her back. "I see. You didn't even notice who was here." She felt her head, her fever was still down at least.
Emma looked over and tried to smile. "Hey Zee." She said, and Mal knew she was more adult than child right now.
"Hey Ems. I'm so sorry you're not feeling good. I'm making some magical chicken soup though, to help you and Gina feel better."
"That's really nice, but I don't think I can eat anything. Everything comes back up."
"That's why you should be resting in bed, my love." Mal said and looked a bit surprised when Emma backed away from her. "What?"
"Gina said to not go close to you, but I forgot. We don't want you sick too. I just…miss you."
Mal pulled Emma back to her and held her in her arms. "I've already been around you and Gina, so I'm not going to start backing off now. Can I make you some tea? You can go lay on the couch and watch TV if you want, baby."
"I know you don't know if you can eat it, but the soup will be ready in an hour or so." Zelena stated, setting it on simmer.
Emma smiled softly. "Thanks Auntie Zee." She said, slipping into her little headspace. "Mama, can I use your really, really soft blanket?"
Mal smiled and nodded. "Yes. Come on, let's get you all set up."
Once Emma was cuddled on the sofa, wrapped in Mal's blanket, sipping tea and watching TV with Zelena, Mal went upstairs to check on Regina. She softly kissed her head as she set some tea on the table and sat down. "How are you feeling baby?"
Regina groaned and turned into Mal more. "Like I've been hit by a truck. Where's Emma?"
"She's on the sofa watching TV with your sister."
"My sister?" Regina asked, sitting up and taking the tea.
"Yes. She missed us apparently and came for a surprise visit. When you weren't in the office, she called me. She's made some chicken soup and is staying for a while. I told her you and Emma aren't feeling good, but she insisted she doesn't mind."
Regina smiled softly. "Good. I didn't realize how much I missed her until I saw her again. I'm going to dress and then come down."
"No, you're staying in bed to rest."
Regina pouted. "Can I at least come into the living room and be with my girls?"
Mal laughed softly and nodded. "Okay fine. You and Emma know how to work those pouts, don't you?"
Regina grinned. "I learned from her." She leaned against Mal. "I'll be down soon."
"Don't get dressed for your sister, Babe. Just put a robe on and you'll be fine."
"I will, but I need to wash my face at least." She kissed Mal's hand. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Mal decided to stay and when Regina was ready, they came down together, Regina cuddling with Emma on the sofa.
"Zelena, I'm so sorry you're here and we're sick." She said, looking over as her sister came in.
"Hey, you can't help it. Here, I have two bowls of chicken soup. I know you're not feeling the best, but please try." She was talking more to Emma than to Regina, though the blonde looked almost like a zombie as she watched mindless TV.
"Come on baby, Auntie Zee made us special soup. Sit up and try some." She said, patting Emma's leg so they could sit up.
Emma groaned as she sat up and shook her head. "I can't, mommy. I'm gonna be sick again."
"I brought you a cup of broth, sweetheart, nothing else."
"It's like tea." Mal said, bringing her and Zelena's bowls in and then she went to grab some glasses of 'special juice' (some Gatoraid) to keep the sick ones hydrated. "Can you be a good girl and just try it?"
"Okay fine." Emma grumbled and none of the others could hide their small smirks.
"Good girl." Regina said, stroking Emma's cheek. "I like when you listen, baby girl. If you can't finish it, that's okay." She handed Emma the mug and took her own, blowing on it. "Thank you, Zelena. If I remember right, your soup is almost magical."
"Almost. One thing I do sort of agree with mother on is not using magic for common things our bodies need to fight off. However, if in three days I'm still sick, I use magic."
"That's how we are as well." Mal said as she added crackers to her soup.
Emma sipped on her broth and after she got about halfway down, she looked at Regina with tears in her eyes and a green tinge to her skin. "I can't Mommy. I…"
Regina quickly put her cup down and stood, taking Emma to the closest bathroom. She rubbed her back as Emma once again emptied her stomach. She kept retching even after her stomach was empty and she started crying, which didn't help anything.
Regina rubbed her back, but she was feeling it too. "Mal? Baby, can you come in here with Emma. I need…our bathroom"
"I'll go with Emma, you go with Regina." Zelena said as the two stood. She rushed in the bathroom and took Regina's place, gently rubbing Emma's back and holding her hair.
Emma tried to come to her own headspace. "I'm sorry. I hate being sick and I don't have more to throw up."
Zelena grabbed a washcloth and wiped Emma's face, taking another and soothing it across her brow. "First of all, don't be sorry. You're sick, sweetheart and that's nothing to be sorry for. Second, please don't think you have to be big just for me." She held Emma's chin lightly and smiled at her. "I'll tell you a secret. I like being Auntie Zee so much that I'm going to move here. Don't tell mommy just yet though, okay?" She held her pinky out. "Our secret?"
Emma smiled softly, holding out her pinky. "Our secret." She then frowned and dry heaved a few times. "I hate this."
Zelena rubbed her back softly. "I think maybe we should just stick to water. Does it help if it's something cold or hot?"
"I like cold better."
"Then how about some ice chips with a splash of your juice for flavor?"
"Can I also have an empty bowl in case I can't make it to the bathroom?"
"Yes. Come on, sweetheart."
Meanwhile, Mal went with Regina and also rubbed her back as she got sick. "Baby, you should go back to bed."
"I was really comfortable with Emma on the sofa though. I just need to stick to water." She then heard the ice crusher and smiled softly. "We always had crushed ice with a bit of Gatorade in it when we got sick. I bet that's what Zelena's making for Emma."
"Come on, we'll go down and I'll make you some too. Maybe you and Emma would be more comfortable sleeping on the sofa tonight? We can pull out the bed."
"I think I would. I'll talk to Emma."
Downstairs, Regina once again cuddled with Emma. "I'm sorry you got so sick, baby. I shouldn't have made you eat the soup."
"It's not your fault, mommy. Nothing is staying down. Auntie Zee made me ice chips, but I'm eating them slowly." She cuddled in with Regina. "I don't wanna move, mommy."
"Then let's stay here tonight, baby."
"Can we keep the tv on?"
"Yes, we can."
Zelena came in with a cup of ice for Regina as well as some large empty bowls while Mal followed with two little cups of medicine.
"It's yucky Mama." Emma said, making a face.
"I know, but it helps your head feel better. Watch, Mommy will take it." She smirked, giving one to Regina.
Regina gave her a look but then looked at Emma. "Yes, see? It's not too bad." She said, taking it.
"Fine." Emma took the medicine, made a face, and within ten minutes she and Regina were out cold.
The next day was much the same, only Mal did go to her meeting as Zelena promised she could handle it. However, by that night, both Emma and Regina had more color to them and they were keeping soup down. On the third day, Regina and Emma stayed awake all day and were feeling much more like normal.
Zelena came in after being out for a bit and smiled. "Regina, guess what?"
"What, sis?"
"I found a place down the road and they accepted my offer! We're going to be almost neighbors."
Regina smiled and hugged Zelena tight. "I'm so glad. Do you need help moving?"
"Nah, I don't have much and the place is furnished. Once the house sells, I'll split it with you evenly."
"You know I'm not worried about that. I got what I wanted out of there, and we took the rest to the charity shop, so maybe you could even sell the house furnished."
"That's the plan. How are you feeling?"
"So much better. Emma too, she's a bit of a shit today, but I think she feels cooped up and a bit nervous about starting therapy in a few days."
"I think it's going to be good for her; especially since you've found one that understands the Little headspace."
"Exactly. I love it, don't get me wrong, but Mal and I have to keep assuring her that we'll love her even if this stops her being little. I mean, she wasn't like this at first, so I wish she wouldn't worry."
"I can see why though. She's been passed around so much, she's afraid of it happening again. Therapy should help with that."
"Mommy, I'm hungry." Emma called from the living room. "Can I please have lunch?"
Regina chuckled and she and Zelena came in. "Soup?"
Emma made a face. "It's good, but I'm sick of soup."
"Okay, but I think it should still be something light. How about a nice chicken salad sandwich?"
"With chips?"
Regina chuckled. "Fine, with chips this time."
The three ate and by the end of the day, Emma was restless. "How about we go out tonight. Just a bar, we don't have to drink hard or anything, but we can get out?" Mal asked.
They all agreed and had a great time, though not a long time because Emma and Regina were still a bit tired from being sick.
Zelena left to go get her things and Emma sat in the car with Mal, not sure she wanted to get out. "Come on, baby girl. This will be good for you."
"I know. I'm just…nervous." Emma said, looking at the friendly enough looking building. "I don't wanna change."
"Sweetheart, this isn't to change you, it's to help you heal. No one has ever tried to help you and they should have. What happened to you was horrible and it doesn't just go away."
Emma looked down. "I don't wanna have to talk about it, though."
"Honey, Dr. Jensen will go at your pace. If she doesn't think you're ready to talk about it yet, she'll talk to you about other things. I'll be with you, if you want that."
"I do. At least this time, please."
Mal nodded and kissed Emma. "Let's go then, baby girl."
Emma walked with Mal, wondering if this would help her or change her, but knowing she should have done this a long time ago.
