Chapter 5: A Mother's Fear
As the evening light waned into the soft gloom of the hospital room, Emma lay back against her pillows, the gentle hum of machinery blending with her scattered thoughts. She was physically drained but emotionally wired, caught between relief at the successful surgery and eager anticipation of finally meeting Henry. However, that anticipation was soon to be tempered by an unexpected conversation.
Regina Mills entered the room quietly, her silhouette framed by the hallway light. She moved closer to Emma's bedside with a grace that seemed almost out of place in the sterile hospital environment. Her expression was composed, yet under the surface, Emma could sense a tumult of unspoken emotions.
"Emma," Regina began, her voice steady but softer than usual, indicating the gravity of what she was about to say. "I need to discuss something important about Henry."
Emma shifted slightly, her heart rate picking up. "Is everything okay with him?" she asked quickly, concern lacing her voice.
"He's doing well, medically," Regina assured her quickly, then took a deep breath before continuing. "But I've been thinking a lot about what comes next—after the hospital."
Emma nodded, her expression expectant, waiting for Regina to continue.
"I am deeply grateful for what you've done for Henry," Regina said, her eyes locking onto Emma's with an intensity that conveyed the sincerity of her words. "You've given him a chance at a longer life, and for that, I will always be thankful. But," she paused, her next words seeming to weigh heavily on her, "I think it's best if you and Henry do not meet after this."
The words hit Emma like a physical blow, her breath catching in her throat. "What? Why?" she stammered, confusion and hurt swirling within her.
Regina's expression hardened slightly, a protective veneer slipping into place. "I think it's best for him to continue the life he knows, without confusion or disruption. He sees me as his mother, and introducing a new dynamic now could be very destabilizing for him."
Emma searched Regina's face, trying to understand the reasoning behind her decision. "Regina, he's my son too. I don't want to disrupt his life, I just... I want to be a part of it. He deserves to know where he came from."
Regina looked away, her jaw set. Internally, she wrestled with a deep-seated fear that Henry might gravitate towards Emma simply because she was his biological mother. This fear, though unvoiced, was the true driving force behind her decision—a fear that Henry's affection might shift, altering the delicate balance of their relationship permanently.
"I understand that you feel a connection to him," Regina said, turning back to face Emma with a look of resolve. "But I have to consider what's best for Henry. And right now, I believe maintaining the status quo is what's best for him."
Emma felt a mix of anger and desperation rising within her. "Please, Regina, don't do this. Don't keep him from me. He should have the choice to know me."
Regina's face softened momentarily, a flicker of sympathy passing through her eyes before she masked it with firmness. "My decision is final, Emma. I'm sorry."
With those final words, Regina turned and left the room, leaving Emma to grapple with a profound sense of loss and helplessness. The silence that filled the space after Regina's departure was suffocating, pressing down on Emma with the weight of a thousand unshed tears.
Dr. Whale entered a while later, noting Emma's distressed state. After checking her vitals and making some notes, he spoke gently. "You should stay in the hospital for at least a week to recover fully. We need to ensure there are no complications."
Emma barely nodded, her mind still reeling from Regina's words. As Dr. Whale left, promising to check on her again soon, Emma lay back, staring at the ceiling. The room felt colder now, emptier. Despite the success of the surgery, the future she had hoped for with Henry felt like it was slipping through her fingers, leaving her to wonder if the bond of blood was enough to hold them together, or if Regina's fears would keep them forever apart
The soft whirr of wheels against the polished hospital floor barely registered above the hush that had settled over the room. Emma, lost in her own tumult of despair and frustration, didn't notice the sound until a slight figure appeared at the threshold of her door. She looked up, startled, as a young boy maneuvered a wheelchair into the dimly lit room. His face, a mirror of her own with those unmistakable eyes and chin, looked back at her with an expression of mixed determination and nervousness.
"Are you... Emma?" His voice was tentative, as if testing the situation, his eyes searching hers for recognition, for acceptance.
Emma's heart lurched at the sound, a tide of emotions welling up so powerfully that it left her momentarily breathless. "Yes, I'm Emma," she replied, her voice thick with tears. She had seen pictures, yes, but they were nothing compared to the living, breathing boy before her. "I'm your biological mother."
Henry managed a small smile, a touch of relief flashing across his features as he wheeled closer to her bedside. "I heard the nurses talking, and I know you're supposed to be my donor," he said, his voice gaining strength. "I wanted to meet you. I had to."
Emma reached out, her hand trembling as it found his. His grip was firm, surprisingly strong, and incredibly warm. "I'm so glad you came," she whispered, every word imbued with the weight of her longing and love.
They looked at each other, taking in the moment that both had imagined but never truly believed would occur. Then, as if a dam had broken, they began to talk.
Henry was curious, his questions straightforward and thoughtful. "What was your life like? Did you ever think about me?" His eyes were earnest, seeking to understand the woman who had given him life but not raised him.
Emma shared her story frankly, her past a tapestry of various shades—some dark, some bright. She spoke of the day she gave him up, the pain that decision had caused, and how it had shaped her life afterward. "Every day, Henry. There hasn't been a day I haven't thought about you."
Henry listened intently, his face a mask of concentration as he absorbed her words. He then shared his own experiences, the life he had with Regina, how she had raised him with all the love a mother could give. "She's great, you know. She loves me a lot. But I always knew I wanted to know you too," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.
They discussed school, his friends, his fears, and his dreams. Emma felt each word knitting them closer together, a bond forming not just from their shared genetics but from the open, honest exchange between them.
At some point, Henry's expression grew serious. "Regina told me I shouldn't meet you. She was afraid," he confessed, looking down at his hands.
Emma squeezed his hand gently, understanding the complexities of Regina's fears. "She loves you very much, Henry. She wants to protect you," she said softly, hoping to bridge the delicate balance between them.
"Yeah, I know," Henry nodded, "but I'm glad I didn't listen. I needed to see you, to know you."
The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that, both sensing the need to cherish the unexpected joy of their meeting. They laughed, shared stories, and discovered little quirks they both possessed, each revelation a delightful surprise.
After a while, Henry glanced at the door, a hint of worry creasing his brow. "I should go back before they notice I'm gone," he said reluctantly.
Emma felt a pang of sadness at the thought of him leaving but knew this was just the beginning. "Okay, but we'll see each other again, right?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
Henry smiled, a look of resolve forming on his young face. "Definitely. We're family, after all. And I think we can handle a little more family, don't you?"
With a final squeeze of her hand, Henry wheeled himself back toward the door, leaving Emma with a heart full of new, precious memories and a renewed sense of hope. The path ahead might be complicated, filled with challenges as they navigated their new relationship and Regina's concerns, but it was a path she was now eager to travel.
The aftermath of Henry's secret visit to Emma's hospital room was a silent storm brewing on the horizon. Regina discovered the meeting not through Henry himself, who remained tight-lipped about his excursion, but through whispers among the hospital staff. Her initial shock quickly morphed into a simmering rage, the controlled composure that defined her public facade giving way to a much rawer, visceral response.
Regina stormed into Emma's room the following morning, her fury barely contained. The door slammed behind her with a force that echoed ominously through the small space. Emma, who had been resting, sat up straight, instantly alert to the palpable shift in Regina's demeanor.
"Emma," Regina began, her voice low and trembling with anger, "I expressly forbade you from contacting Henry. You directly disobeyed my wishes, my instructions as his mother!"
Emma's heart raced, but she met Regina's gaze unflinchingly. "Henry came to me," she corrected calmly, though her insides churned with anxiety. "He wanted to meet, to talk. I won't turn away my own son, Regina."
"You have no right to defy me on this!" Regina hissed, stepping closer to the bed. "You've done enough by just being here. Now, I want you gone as soon as you're discharged. Leave Storybrooke, and leave us alone."
Emma shook her head, her resolve hardening. "I'm not going anywhere, Regina. I have as much right to be here as you do. Henry is my son too, and I won't be pushed out of his life."
The air between them crackled with tension, each woman entrenched in her position. Regina's eyes narrowed, her next words coming out as a cold, deliberate threat. "If you stay, I will make your life hell if it's the last thing I do."
Emma's jaw set firmly, her own anger rising to match Regina's. "I'm not afraid of you, Regina. And I'm not leaving my son."
Regina studied Emma for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, without another word, she turned sharply and exited the room, her departure as dramatic as her entrance.
Left alone, Emma's initial surge of defiance began to wane, replaced by a gnawing apprehension about what Regina's threats might mean for her future and Henry's. Despite the fear, a deep, unwavering commitment to her son fortified her spirit. She knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, possibly dangerous ones, but she was prepared to face them for the chance to be a part of Henry's life.
As the day dragged on, Emma's thoughts kept returning to her brief interaction with Henry. The connection they had begun to forge felt both natural and profound, and she clung to that feeling as a beacon through the storm she sensed was coming. She knew Regina's influence in Storybrooke was significant, and her ability to complicate Emma's life was not an idle threat.
Dr. Whale visited Emma later that afternoon to check on her recovery. Observing her troubled expression, he inquired with genuine concern, "Is everything alright, Emma? You seem distressed."
Emma hesitated, then decided to confide in him. "Regina isn't happy about Henry and me. She's made some threats, and I'm not sure what she's capable of."
Dr. Whale's expression shifted subtly, a hint of discomfort flitting across his features. He offered a small, somewhat dismissive smile. "Regina is just very protective, especially when it comes to Henry. She's probably just concerned about a stranger being around her son."
Emma was taken aback by Dr. Whale's response, his words not providing the support she had hoped for. She nodded slowly, a sense of isolation creeping in as she realized that Regina's influence might extend further than she had thought.
"Thank you, Doctor," Emma replied, her tone polite but reserved as she processed the implications of Dr. Whale's reaction. She settled back against her pillows, her mind busy plotting her next steps. She knew she needed allies and perhaps legal counsel if Regina's threats escalated. But more than anything, she needed to reassure Henry that no matter what, she was here to stay. The battle lines were drawn, and for Emma, there was no turning back. The stakes were too high, and the love for her son too deep to walk away without a fight.