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Chapter 4
Though Emma was supposed to be relaxing, she just couldn't. Her stomach was in knots and her anxiety was high. Why hadn't she ever reported Killian? This was her own damn fault, but she never thought he'd come after her or her baby girl. She sat on her bed and looked through her phone at pictures through out the years of her daughter. She had printed some out, but never deleted old ones. As she got further and further back, she found a folder she had forgotten about. Even though she didn't have a number back then, she had the phone and forgot she had taken pictures. Quickly, she made her way downstairs. "Where's Zelena?"
"In the office." Cora said. "Emma, you're supposed to be sleeping."
"I know, but I can't. I found old pictures." She went to the office and held her phone out. "I did take pictures. I completely forgot, but I did."
Zelena took the phone and scrolled through. "Oh Emma. These are terrible, but I'm so glad you have them. I'm going to print them off with the time stamp on them, okay?"
"Yes. Do whatever you have to do. I can't lose my baby girl."
As the pictures printed, Zelena looked at Emma. "I don't mean to be insensitive, but are you one hundred percent sure that Ryleigh is Kilian's?"
"Yes. She couldn't be anyone else's." Emma sighed. "I wish she wasn't though. It would make this so much easier."
"They're going to ask why you didn't tell him or list him on her birth certificate."
"I know, and I had my reasons. It's not a crime, is it?"
"No, not at all. I just…doesn't look good. But then, neither do these pictures."
"What's going to happen?" Emma asked, sitting down. "On Tuesday when we go there, what's going to happen?"
"We're going to put your side out there. We're going to tell them why you never contacted him and see exactly what it is he wants."
"He can't have her. Not even visits, Zelena, he can't. I vowed that he would never hurt her the way he hurt me."
"I know, Emma. I can't…I can't make promises, but I can tell you I'm going to fight my darndest."
"Does she have to be there?"
"No. No, I'm sure Regina will watch her, Emma."
"I'll ask her." Emma said, standing. "Zelena? Thank you for taking this case."
"You're welcome, Emma." Zelena said, watching her go. From what she knew of this Killian, Zelena was pretty sure he didn't want anything to do with Ryleigh, but she wasn't sure what his motivation was. Emma had nothing to give him.
"Yes, I'll watch her." Regina said, taking Emma's hand. "Emma, breathe. I'm afraid you're going to have a heart attack or something."
"My world is falling apart, Regina." Emma said, tears in her eyes.
"Not yet, it isn't." Cora said, bringing a cup of tea over to Emma. "Do not give up hope."
"Mommy? My leg hurts." Ryleigh mumbled from the sofa.
Emma looked and saw it was only seven at night. "Honey, I can't give you more meds for another hour." She said, sitting on the sofa and bringing Ryleigh into her arms. "How about a movie?"
"I'm hungry." Ryleigh said, cuddling into her mommy. "Are there more of what Regina made last night?"
Emma looked at Regina who nodded. "There are, Ducky." Regina said, getting up. "I'll warm some up for you."
"Thanks, Gina." Ryleigh gave her mom a look. "Since I broked my leg, can I have pop tonight?"
Emma chuckled and kissed her baby girl. "One can of Sprite. You'll be good if Mama…"
"I've got it, Em." Regina said. "I'm making you some leftovers as well."
Zelena came out as Emma and Ryleigh were finishing eating. "Got any more?"
"I warmed it all up. On the counter in the kitchen." Regina said and followed her sister. "What do you think? Does he stand a chance?"
"Well, I talked to his lawyer and they agreed to change Tuesday from a court session to a mediation so we can all just get together and talk. If I can figure out what he actually wants, it may be easy to end this."
"He wants to make my life hell." Emma said, bringing dirty dishes into the kitchen. "I really don't get why else he'd do this. I don't get why my dad is helping him."
"Hopefully, we'll get that all figured out."
That night, Emma found it hard to sleep so after checking on Ryleigh a few times, she made her way downstairs. She made a cup of coffee and took it out to the back patio, enjoying the stillness of the night.
"Emma? Emma, what are you doing out here?"
Emma saw Regina and gave a shrug. "Couldn't sleep. You?"
"I heard you get up and wanted to make sure you're okay."
"I'm scared." Emma admitted. "I know Zelena is great, but this is my baby, you know?"
Regina sat by Emma and laced her fingers with the blonde's. "I know and I know you're going to worry, but you're not alone, Emma. Let me worry with you."
Emma smiled softly. "You didn't come here to sit outside at night and worry with someone you hardly know."
"No, but that doesn't mean I won't do it."
The two were quiet for a while and then Emma let out a small laugh. "Your mom was something else when I brought Ryleigh home. Here was this baby who couldn't do more than eat, sleep, poop, and cry, and your mom had gone and had this place baby-proofed." Emma shook her head at the memory. "We couldn't open any doors, cupboards, or even the fridge. It was terrible, but it made my heart swell because your mom cared so much about me and my baby."
Regina chuckled and kissed Emma's hand. "She loves you so much, Emma. You and Ryleigh. You've both been great for her and I owe you a huge thank you for taking care of her."
"You don't owe me anything, Regina." Emma said and let out a breath. "I'm just so glad you came to see her. She's needed this."
The next day, Ryleigh was feeling better, so they went on with the plan for the hospital. Regina and Cora went to the lab to give bloodwork while Emma, Ryleigh, and Zelena went to the kid's area so Ryleigh could play. She couldn't go on the equipment, but she had fun with other things. Emma picked Ryleigh and a book up when the doctor came to get them. "You have quite a crowd with you today, Mrs. Mills."
"I do. My family." She smiled proudly. "All here to support me. Please tell me you have good news, Dr."
He smiled warmly at her. "You're in remission, Cora. You can stop with the treatments and most of your meds, though I have a list for Emma of those I want you to stay on. You need to work up your strength now, because you've got some good years left."
Emma smiled brightly at Cora who had tears in her eyes. "I'm in remission? I'm going to live?"
"Yes, and yes." The doctor stated. "Congratulations, you deserve it. You worked hard, Cora, and we couldn't be happier."
They set up follow up appointments before heading out. "To celebrate, I'm taking everyone out to lunch." Cora said, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. Her cancer was gone, her girls were here, she couldn't be happier. She then looked at Emma and frowned. Emma was going through something huge and hiding it on her behalf. "Emma, honey, it's going to be okay."
"Today is your day, Cora." Emma said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Let's not talk about tomorrow." She bit her lip. "We will have to talk about what this means going forward though."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you won't be needing as much help once you've mended. I'll need to start looking for a job."
"Not yet, Emma. I'll still need your help for a while, and I wouldn't dream of telling you to find a job right now. Until I'm fully cleared, nothing changes and when it does, there will be time."
"Thank you. I do appreciate that."
That night, Emma paced in her room long after everyone else went to bed. She'd have to see Killian the next day and fight for her baby. Part of her really wanted to just pack them up and leave, but she knew that wouldn't do her any favors. Regina softly knocked on the door and came in. "Emma, I made you some tea to help you relax."
"Thanks, but I can't relax right now." The blonde said but did sip at the tea. "I'm a nervous wreck."
"I know. What can I do?" Regina asked, sitting on the edge of Emma's bed.
Emma ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't know. There's not really anything you can do."
"Come here." Regina said, patting the bed next to her. "Sit down and relax."
Emma did so and closed her eyes when she felt Regina's hands on her shoulders and neck. "That feels good."
"You're so tense, Emma." Regina said, working away the knots with her fingers. "Just relax."
"If I relax anymore, I'll fall asleep." Emma joked, though her eyes were feeling heavy.
"Good. That's the point." Regina said with a grin. "Finish your tea and lay down."
Emma did so and when Regina straddled her back, she felt like she was in heaven. "You a secret masseuse?"
Regina chuckled. "No, but I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should." Emma slurred, sleep claiming her. "Stay with me tonight?"
Regina froze for a moment, and then continued. "If that's what you want, then I will."
"Please."
"Okay, Emma. Now, you close your eyes."
Once Regina was sure Emma was asleep, she carefully got up. She went to go, but felt a grip on her wrist. "Please stay, 'Gina."
Regina smiled. "I'm just turning the lights off." She did so and came back to the bed, laying next to Emma. The blonde quickly cuddled up to her, reminding her of a koala.
"I haven't had anyone in so long." Emma admitted. "I mean, I don't know what I mean."
Regina chuckled and wrapped her arm around Emma. "I get it. I haven't either." She admitted. "Now sleep, please, or I'll have to go back to my room."
Emma smiled softly; eyes still closed. "Thank you, 'Gina."
"You're very welcome."
Regina watched Emma sleep and smiled softly as she too fell asleep. The next morning, she woke up to Emma laying with her top half on top of Regina and smiled softly. Sure, there was a little bit of drool and Emma's hair was a mess, but this was one of the most beautiful sights she'd ever seen. She couldn't stop herself as she leaned forward and kissed the blonde.
Emma woke with a jolt as she felt lips on hers. She opened her eyes to find brown ones gazing back at her and smiled lazily as she kissed the woman again. "Shit…sorry. I…I'm not fully awake."
Regina chuckled and that sound did things to Emma's nether regions. "Emma, it's okay. I kissed you first. I couldn't help it. You're so beautiful and on top of me, so it's not like I could go anywhere."
"I don't wanna move." Emma said, resting her head on Regina's chest.
"Then don't." Regina said, running her fingers through blonde locks.
"My daughter will be up soon and will need help." Emma mumbled. "I have to go to court today."
"I know. I also know it's going to be okay. Emma, no matter what happens, you've got us."
"I can't let him get to her, Regina. I promised her when she was still inside me that I'd never let him hurt her. That's one promise I'm not willing to break."
"I know." Regina said, rubbing Emma's back. "Hopefully they'll see how he was and drop this whole thing."
"Mommy! I gotta pee reallllllly bad!" Ryleigh called and Emma chuckled.
"I should go help her." She said, getting up. Regina followed her to the door. "Thank you for last night." Emma said, kissing the woman.
"Any time, dear." Regina said, winking and going to her room. "Good morning, Zelena." She said before closing her door.
"Morning…wait, what did I miss?" The redhead asked, coming out of the bathroom. "Did you and my sister have sex?"
Emma groaned as she went to get Ryleigh. "No. She gave me some sleepy tea, rubbed my shoulders, and spent the night with me." She lifted Ryleigh up carefully.
"Spent the night with you?" Zelena asked, following them.
"Yeah. We had a little sleep over. No big deal." Emma said, helping her daughter on the toilet.
"I want to have a sleep over." Ryleigh said, rubbing her eyes.
"Depending on how Mommy's meeting goes today, maybe we can have a sleep over tonight. You and me?"
"And 'Gina." Ryleigh added. "And Zelena, and Nana Cora."
Zelena chuckled. "I don't think we'd all fit on your bed, Princess."
"Maybe a living room sleep over?"
Emma smiled softly. "We'll see, baby girl. You're going to be good for Regina today, right?"
"Yes. Mommy, where are you going?"
"Just to a meeting with Auntie Zee." Emma said, cleaning up her daughter and helping her off the toilet.
"Then you won't be stressed no more?" The little one asked as she washed her hands.
"How did you know I've been stressed?"
"Nana tolded me." Ryleigh said, holding her arms up so Emma could pick her up again. "Is it my fault?"
Emma kissed her baby girl's forehead. "No, my love. It's not your fault and I hope to be less stressed after this meeting."
"I'm still tired." Ryleigh said with a yawn.
"Then go back to bed." Emma said, carrying her to her room. "No reason to be up right now anyway." She tucked her daughter back into bed and headed to the hall. "Zelena, I swear, she and I did not have…"
"I know, I know. I just…How are you?"
Emma smiled softly. "Terrified."
"Go shower and we can head out. It's good to get their early."
An hour and a half later, Emma sat tapping a pen on the table. "He's late. What happens if he doesn't come?" She whispered to Zelena.
"They'll either drop it or reschedule, depending on his excuse."
Emma was about to say something when she saw Killian swagger through the doors. "He's hungover." She whispered.
"I can tell. Leave it to me." Zelena said and Emma just nodded.
"Welcome." The mediator said as Killian came in. "I'm assuming you're Mr. Jones?"
"Yes." Killian said, gruffly. "I want my daughter."
Emma rolled her eyes, but hid that from anyone else. "We'll get to the case, Mr. Jones. Please have a seat. I am Jacob, I will be the mediator here. We also have Courtney with social services, and Lynda from CASA attending."
Emma swallowed at that, knowing how serious this could be. "Why are they here?" Emma whispered.
"It's okay, Emma. They're here to make sure the right choices are made for Ryleigh." Zelena said and then smiled. "Ms. Mills here for Emma's legal team."
"Mr. Johnston for Mr. Jones' legal team." The other lawyer stated. "I have all the papers in order and expect my client to get custody of his daughter today."
Jacob cleared his throat. "Nothing like that will be decided today, Mr. Johnston, as you are aware. I understand Ryleigh has spent the last three years with her mother only?"
"Because the bitch never told me I had a kid." Killian slurred.
Emma grit her teeth as Zelena put a hand on her lap to calm her. "Mr. Jones, we will not be preceding if you continue with that attitude." Jacob stated, giving him a look.
"She's almost four." Emma said quietly.
"I'm sorry?"
"You said three years, but she's almost four."
"Right, thank you. Now, can you tell me why you never told Killian of his daughter?"
Emma blinked a few times, gathering her thoughts. "Because I promised her, I'd never let him hurt her like he hurt me. I never asked him for anything, I simply left after having too much of it."
"Too much of what? I'm sorry to be insensitive, but we need to know details."
Emma looked down at the table. "Too much abuse."
Killian laughed at that. "Abuse? Dear, you don't know the meaning of abuse. You tried saying your dad abused you when you were a kid too. You were a liar then and you're a liar now."
Emma swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at Jacob. "I have pictures. I didn't go to the police because they never helped me before, but I did take pictures. He'd hit me, smack me, punch me, kick me, he broke three of my fingers, and verbally assaulted me every day all day. When I found out I was pregnant, I promised my unborn child that I'd never let him hurt them. I left. I just left one day and never looked back."
"May I see these pictures?" Jacob asked and Zelena handed them over.
"How do we know they're real?" Mr. Johnston asked, glancing at the pictures. He covered his mouth and whispered something to Killian.
"I have a witness. She took me in and cleaned me up after the last time. She's been helping me ever since."
"Is that why you don't have a job?" Mr. Johnston asked.
"I have a job. I'm a caretaker for a dear friend. Yes, she's my witness as well."
"So, your employer is your witness? Convenient."
"I have her statement here." Zelena said, handing it to Jacob. "Miss Swan has never asked Mr. Jones for a single thing. She has left him alone and made a life for her and her daughter. I think you'll agree that uprooting this healthy, balanced child in this way would be detrimental to her wellbeing. Especially since her father reeks of rum at nine in the morning!"
Emma saw the CASA worker smirk a little at that as she made notes. Jacob put a hand up. "Nothing is being decided today, though, I can't say I disagree with you, what we have to do first is make sure this child is healthy and balanced."
"Which she is not." Mr. Johnston cut in. "She was in the emergency room yesterday due to Miss Swan's neglect."
"I did not neglect her!" Emma said, fury in her eyes. "She was playing and fell. I was right there but couldn't stop her."
"It's okay, Miss Swan." Jacob stated. "We had the records from the hospital and no foul play was determined. I think Mr. Johnston is simply trying to sling you through the mud and it will not work. Step one is to have Courtney and Lynda stop by for a visit at your home. They just need to see that Ryleigh's needs are being met and that there are no risks to her. Then, they will visit Mr. Jones' house to be sure that if Ryleigh were to go there for visits, she'd be safe."
Emma's heart was pounding at those words. "I'll never get her back if she goes." She said quietly.
"Emma, we'd never allow that to happen." Jacob said, though he knew he wouldn't be able to calm her just now. He may not know either of them, but if this were completely up to him, he'd send Killian packing. "Mr. Jones. I have to ask. It's been almost four years, why have you not come sooner?"
Killian gave a shrug. "I honestly didn't care before."
"Why the hell do you care now?" Emma asked in a growl.
Killian glared at her but didn't answer her. Instead, he looked at Jacob. "Just because some daughters don't want their fathers, doesn't mean a father doesn't want his daughter. Besides, I'm in touch with the kids grandfather so I can offer her extended family."
Emma scoffed. "The 'kid' has a name, and her grandfather was worse than you when it came to abuse." She looked at the two women. "If what he's saying is true, please check David out too."
"Such a fucking victim, aren't you Emma? Always the victim. Your father was depressed after losing his wife. Sure, he maybe took it out on you from time to time, but it was your fault."
"I was at school! It was not my fault!" Emma said, angry tears in her eyes.
Mr. Johnston sighed, rolling his eyes as Jacob looked stunned. "Mr. Jones, are you saying that a child deserves abuse 'from time to time' if the parent is depressed?"
"I mean if we're talking about Emma, then yes. Dumb bitch needs her head knocked around a bit from time to time." He said with a smirk. "I'm sure we won't have those issues with Ryleigh." He looked at Emma with a twinkle in her eyes. "Daddy David did tell me what a joy it can be having a daughter though."
Emma's skin crawled and she wanted to throw up. Before she could say anything, Zelena was standing. "How dare you! Her father raped her and you're sitting here saying he's giving you parenting advice?" She looked to the others. "Are you hearing this? You let this man have that child for a minute and her life will be changed forever and not in a good way."
"Oh my god, just shut up." Killian said. "Honestly, I can't take your voice anymore. Someone needs to teach you a lesson."
"Mr. Jones! Sit down and shut up." Mr. Johnston stated, pulling at the neck of his shirt. "I quit. Killian, you are a monster and not at all the man David said you were."
"I don't bloody care. I'm only doing this to get David off my back." Killian said, standing. "This was a waste of time. Emma, you're still a waste of space and I'm so glad to be rid of you, fucking worthless woman." With that, he left the room, everyone in it was stunned.
"Wh…what happens now?" Emma asked.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's case over." Jacob stated. "After everything he just said, I think it's safe to say the judge will see it the way I do and take his parental rights away." He then looked at Emma. "Emma, are you okay?"
Emma blinked a few times. "I…I'm fine. It's really over?"
"With him it is." Mr. Johnston stated. "Miss Swan, I think you should know that your father is the one who had Killian do this. I don't know for sure, but I think he planned on using Killian to get to Ryleigh. He's assured me that he only wants to know his granddaughter, but after finding out everything I just found out, I'm not so sure that's the case."
Emma was lost in her own world as the lawyers, social services, and CASA worker all packed up and headed out. Zelena sighed and went to her, placing her hand on Emma's back. "Ready?"
Emma looked up and nodded before standing and following Zelena to their car. She was quiet for the drive and Zelena was afraid something dee was going on in the blonde's mind. She parked a block away and turned the car off, turning towards Emma. "Talk to me."
"What?" Emma asked, looking around. "Where are we?"
"Almost home and you haven't said anything. Emma, that was emotional. Talk to me."
Emma was quiet for a while and then started talking. "For the last almost four years, I have been told what a great mother I am, what a great caretaker, friend, daughter, person I am. I've been given nothing but compliments and positive words." She sniffed and played with the frayed edges of her coat sleeve. "Then I see him one time and his words are easier to believe than Cora's. It's easier to believe I'm worthless, stupid, and a waste of space even after four years of never hearing those words out loud."
Zelena felt her own tears for the woman next to her. She wrapped Emma in her arms and let the woman cry. "You are none of those things, Emma Swan. You are the most amazing mother I know, the best friend anyone could ask for, and the strongest human I've ever met. I know it's so hard to believe after a lifetime of being told otherwise, but it's true." She pulled back and cupped Emma's cheeks, wiping her tears with her thumbs. "After what he did today, you never have to worry about him taking Ryleigh. He's out of your life for good."