Chapter 10
Emma and Regina headed home a bit later than planned, but very happy. Emma felt a weird mixture inside her. Part of her was so happy and excited that she finally knew how it felt to make love and wanted to tell Cora, but then since it was with Regina, she didn't know if that was too far. She would normally tell Cora everything but now, she didn't know where she stood exactly when it came to her and Regina.
Regina noticed Emma was quietly thinking a lot and took her hand as she drove. "Emma, you're going to give yourself a headache. You don't have any regrets, do you?"
"No. Gods no. Not at all. I just…" She blushed. "Cora's been my only friend for years, so I want to tell her about how happy and excited I am, but then she's your mom and maybe she won't want to hear it."
"She's your best friend, Ems. I don't think it would be awkward. What about your mom?"
Emma laughed. "Oh we are so not there yet. I'm barely calling her mom, much less telling her about my sex life." She chewed her lip. "I think I'm going to invite her over tomorrow. She should meet Ryleigh."
"Call her now then before you change your mind."
Emma nodded and took her phone out. She held it to her ear and smiled. "Hi, it's Emma."
"I know. I'm so happy you're calling. What's up?"
"Well, I was wondering how you'd feel about meeting your granddaughter tomorrow? You can come to Regina's or we can meet at the park, but for now, I just want it to be you. I'll explain to Lilly and Conner that they can meet her soon."
"I'll explain that to them and I'd love to Emma, if you're sure. I don't want you to do anything you're not ready for."
"I'm sure. I want this, Mar…mom. I want us to move on and start fresh and be a family."
Mary had tears in her eyes and had to take a breath. "I want that too, baby."
"Good then I'll….REGINA LOOK OUT!" Emma yelled as a large truck crossed the center line.
Regina didn't have time to do anything but slam on her breaks. She closed her eyes at the impact and everything went dark. She opened her eyes to see smashed glass all around her and could hear sirens. "Emma…" She coughed and looked over. The blonde was there, but her eyes were closed and blood was dripping from her mouth and ears. "No. Emma!" Regina tried to move but a sharp pain in her shoulder stopped her.
"Ma'am, are you okay? I'm a paramedic, can you move?"
"Emma! Get Emma! She's not awake. I'm fine; just get her."
Regina felt hands pulling her out of the car, but she kept looking at Emma. "Get her please."
"We are, Ma'am. That side of the car is much worse than yours, due to the guard rail, so we need to get her from here."
"Is she alive?" Regina asked as they put her on a gurney.
"Let's worry about you right now. What's your name?" The paramedic went through checks. "You dislocated your shoulder. Let me just..."
Regina screamed as they reset her shoulder, but then did feel much better. "I'm fine. Where's Emma?" She could no longer see what was happening.
"She's being taken care of."
"I need to know if she's alive. Please."
The woman nodded and stepped out. She came back a few moments later. "She's alive, but she's in a bad way. They're taking her now, so you just lay back and we'll get you there too."
"What do you mean? Is she going to die?"
"We hope not, but she's badly banged her head and has some glass embedded deep in her chest from the windshield. It's causing internal bleeding, but Regina, she's going to the hospital, she should be okay."
"I have to call my mother. She's watching her daughter. Oh gods, how will I tell Ryleigh?"
"Ma'am please try to relax and calm down. I know it's hard, I know that, but you need to lay back."
Regina finally did so, knowing it would be faster if she cooperated. She couldn't lose Emma, she just couldn't.
"Emma? Emma?" Mary called frantically. When the phone went dead, she dialed Cora's number, having gotten it from Emma previously. "Cora? Have you heard from Regina or Emma in the last few minutes?"
"No, but I wasn't expecting to. Why?"
"I was on the phone with Emma when suddenly, she called for Regina to watch out and then no one was there."
Cora's heart sank and she looked at Zelena and Ryleigh playing Candyland. "If I hear anything, I'll call you. Thank you for calling me."
"Thank you. I really appreciate that."
They hung up and right away, Cora tried calling Regina's phone, but it went to voicemail. Not knowing where they were, she didn't even know what hospitals to call. "Ryleigh sweetheart, can you please watch your cartoon for a bit so I can talk to Zelena?"
"Sure, Nana." She looked at Zelena. "Can we play later?"
"I'm sure we can. We'll leave this set up." Zelena said, turning Ryleigh's favorite cartoon and then went to the kitchen with her mother. "What's wrong?"
Cora told her what Mary said and they both felt scared. "I can't get a hold of either of them." Cora admitted, honestly not sure what to do next.
Meanwhile, Mary called around and found Emma and Regina were being taken to the hospital she worked at. Of course she couldn't be their doctor, but she could be there. She once again dialed Cora. "They're being taken to Storybrooke hospital. Where you went when you took the wrong pills. They couldn't tell me much since they weren't there yet, but they're still alive. I know Emma didn't want me to meet Ryleigh until tomorrow with her, but Cora, I have to be there."
Cora sighed. "Thank you for telling me. You should be there, Mary. I don't think Emma would mind. To be honest, I wish I had somewhere for Ryleigh to go as I don't want her to see her mother or Regina in whatever state they may be in. But I also can't ask Regina's sister not to be there."
"You could bring her here and Lilly could watch her. She's taken babysitting classes and watches Conner all the time. But it's all up to you; you know better what Emma would want than I do."
"Can you hang on just one moment?" Cora looked at Zelena and told her what was going on.
"Mom, I'll drop you off there and take Ryleigh to a park nearby. You can call me with any updates and if you think she should be there, I'll bring her. I don't think we should leave her with someone we don't know."
Cora nodded and went back to the phone. "Thank you for the offer, but Zelena said she'd drop me off and take Ryleigh to wait at a park. It's not…"
"You don't have to explain, Cora." Mary said kindly. "I'll see you there."
At the hospital, Regina got the all clear and waited impatiently to hear about Emma. "I was with her! I was in the car with her in the same accident."
"I know ma'am, but you're not on her contact list, so I can't give you any information." The receptionist stated, trying to not let her irritation show.
"Regina, what's going on?" Cora asked as she came in.
"I don't know, she won't tell me." Regina grumbled. She had called Cora and was glad Zelena would have Ryleigh for now.
"I'm Cora Mills, Emma is my…"
"Yes, you're on her list. Wait here and I'll get a nurse."
When she left, Regina rolled her eyes. "I've been trying to get her to tell me anything, but you must be her point of contact."
"Honey, remember where she came from; she didn't want her ex or father to be able to get information, so she has it tied down pretty tight."
"I know." Regina said, tears filling her eyes. "I'm just so worried. She was bleeding, mom - her mouth and ear was dripping blood. She was unconscious."
Mary came in and went to them. "Regina, I'm so glad you're okay."
Regina hugged the woman. "I'm so sorry. I had no time. The truck just crossed and I tried but I couldn't do anything." She told Mary all she knew and the nurse came out.
"Cora Mills?" When Cora nodded, the nurse looked between the other two. "I'm sorry, I can only talk to Cora. What she tells you is her choice." She looked apologetically at Mary, knowing the situation.
"I understand. Regina, let's go sit. I'm sure you need to take it easy."
Regina didn't want to, but she followed Mary to the seating area as Cora looked at the nurse. "Is she okay?"
"She's very lucky. She's got quite the bang on her head, but that's nothing to worry about. The problem is the glass from the windshield was deeply embedded in her neck and chest. It pierced her lungs and the surgeon had to do some digging. She's going to be okay, but she did lose a lot of blood."
Cora felt tears running down her face. "Is she awake?"
"She's been awake, but she's sleeping now. She's in a lot of pain, so we have to keep her medicated. She will be out of the ICU within the next hour and you'll all be able to see her. She was asking for her daughter."
Cora nodded. "I'll make sure she's here. My other daughter is explaining to her what happened. Is it okay that she comes? She's almost four."
"Yes, that's fine. Just to warn you, she's bandaged up, but it shouldn't be too hard for the little one to see her. I'll let you know when she's back out."
"Is there any lasting damage?" Cora asked, feeling as if she's forgetting to ask things."
"Just scaring. Her lungs will heal, though it will be painful. She will need to rest and probably won't get out of here for a few days."
"Is there anything I should be asking that I'm not?" Cora asked, feeling so out of place.
"No. I'm sure Mary will have questions, and once we get the okay from Emma, we can talk to her, but please know, Emma's in good hands."
Cora nodded and went back to Regina and Mary and told them everything she'd been told. Meanwhile, Zelena sat on the swing that allowed an adult to swing with a child and looked at Ryleigh across from her. She had just told her that Regina and Emma had been in an accident, but they were both alive. "Do you have questions?"
"Is mommy okay?" Ryleigh asked, tears in her eyes. "I wanna see her."
Zelena's phone rang and she looked at it. "Let me talk to Nana and I'll see if she knows more." She listened and made quiet comments before hanging up. "Your mommy is okay. She's been hurt and she will be in the hospital for a while, but she's going to be okay. She wants to see you."
"Let's go! I wanna see mommy and Gina!"
"Gina's okay and will call as soon as we can visit mommy, but if you want to go wait there, I do understand."
The two ended up leaving the park and going to the hospital.
"It's good news you guys." Mary said. "Lungs, while painful, do heal pretty fast. She will need to take it easy though for the next few weeks."
"Then that's what she will do." Cora nodded. "Anything she had planned, we can take care of. We can get Ryleigh to swimming lessons and get her signed up for school." She looked between them. "She doesn't know how to let people take care of her. She was sick once with the flu and I had to threaten to take Ryleigh away for the week just so she would rest." She chuckled sadly. "I'm just so relieved both my girls are okay."
Mary smiled softly and touched Cora's hand. "I'm so glad she found you. Thank you for being here for her. I um…should I go home and wait until she wants to see me? I want to be here, but I really don't want to mess up this second chance she's given me."
Regina was the one to shake her head. "No. Mary, she will love that you're here for her. So we introduce you to Ryleigh, that's okay. She won't be upset."
"Nana!" Ryleigh called as she and Zelena came in. "Where's mommy? Is she okay?"
Cora picked up Ryleigh and kissed her cheek. "Mommy's been hurt baby. Did Auntie Zee tell you?"
"I told her about the accident, but I didn't really give details." Zelena said, coming in and hugging her sister. "How are you?"
"Me? I'm fine. I don't even feel like I was in an accident." Regina said and sighed. "It's not fair. It should be…"
"No." Mary said, though she wondered if she should have. "It shouldn't be either of you in there."
Ryleigh looked over at the woman. "Who are you?"
Before anyone could say anything, the nurse came back out. "Is this Ryleigh? Emma won't rest until she sees her."
"Can we go then?" Cora asked, standing.
"You and Ryleigh can. The rest of you just have to be a little patient but it won't be long."
Cora took Ryleigh's hand and went off with the nurse. Mary sat back and wiped away some tears. "She looks just like Emma when I…" She couldn't finish her sentence and Regina took her hand.
"Don't keep thinking about the past, Mary. Emma and I were talking about you right before she called and she wants this with you. But neither of you can move on if you keep going back."
Mary nodded. "You're right. Thank you." She looked at Zelena. "I know we've met a couple times, but I'm Mary."
Zelena smiled softly. "Dr. Blanchard. I came to see you a few times. Regina's right you know; Emma really does want this chance with you. As her friend, however, I feel I have to say this. Please do not do this unless you're sure you won't change your mind later. She wouldn't and shouldn't have to deal with that after all she's been through."
It touched Mary that Zelena would care so much. "I promise you, I want this. I will never leave her again; no matter what. Even if she does want to move back, I'll make sure we stay in touch."
Cora took a breath and looked at Ryleigh. "Now honey, she's going to have bandages and wires on her. She probably won't be able to hold you, but I'll make sure you can at least touch her hand."
Ryleigh nodded, her eyes looking a bit scared as the door opened. "Mommy." She whispered, surprised at what she saw.
Cora was just as surprised, but made her way in. Emma's head was wrapped up but her eyes were black and blue. "Oh baby girl." She sighed and sat down on the chair, pulling Ryleigh in her lap. "How are you feeling?"
Emma reached over as best as she could and took Ryleigh's hand. "It's okay honey. Mommy's okay." She said, her voice raspy through the oxygen covering her mouth. "I'm sorry, I just had to see you." She looked at Cora. "Regina?"
"Regina is fine, Emma. You focus on you. They said you refused to rest, but sweetheart, that's the only way you're going to heal." She said, stroking Emma's hand.
"I know. I'm sorry." She said, squeezing Ryleigh's hand. "I just needed this little one to know how much I love her."
Ryleigh smiled a bit and leaned over to carefully kiss Emma's cheek. "I love you, Mommy."
"Regina, Zelena and your mother are here." Cora said softly. "I hope you don't mind."
Emma was a bit surprised. "My mom came?"
"Yes, of course. She's the one who found out what hospital you were at and called me. I haven't introduced them yet, but I can't really put it off much longer."
Emma understood. "It's okay. You can do that."
The nurse came back in. "Emma, I'm sorry, but there are just a few more tests we have to do before you can be moved."
"It's okay." Emma said and looked at Ryleigh. "I'll see you soon,"
Ryleigh and Cora left and Cora picked up the little one to carry her down the hall. Zelena stood and came over to make sure Cora wasn't doing too much. "How is she?"
"She's okay. Tired and I know she's in pain, but okay. We'll be able to all see her soon." She then sat by Mary. "Ryleigh, you asked who this was and your mom said I can tell you. This is Mary and she is your mommy's mommy; your grandmother."
Ryleigh looked at Mary and gave a shy smile. "Hi." She looked at Cora. "You're still my nana, right?"
Cora smiled. "I'll always be your nana, baby girl."
Mary smiled as well. "That's right. You can call me Mary or Grandma or whatever it is you want. I'm so happy to meet you."
"Why didn't I know you before?"
Mary took a breath. "I…I wasn't around for a while, sweetheart."
Before she could say more, Cora cut in. "Sometimes things happen and a parent isn't always with their child."
"Like my daddy?"
Regina coughed. "Your daddy?"
"Well, I know I gots one 'cuz everyone does, but I never saw'd him."
"Well, Mary is not like your daddy, but it is sort of like that. But Mommy found Mary and now, they want you all to be a family."
"With you too? You and Nana and Auntie Zee?"
Mary could tell Ryleigh was a bit confused and scared. She took her hand. "Ryleigh, nothing is going to change except you're going to have a bigger family. You'll always have Gina and Auntie Zee, and your nana, but you'll also have me and another Aunt and an Uncle."
Ryleigh smiled. "A big family! I'll call you Grama."
Mary blinked some happy tears. "It would be an honor to be your Grama."
Not much later, the group was being taken back to Emma's new room. She was still hooked up to a lot, but the oxygen was now a nose tube and not a full face mask. Cora sat on the bench along the window since she'd already seen Emma and let the others greet her. Regina kissed the part of her head that wasn't covered. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't." Emma whispered as her voice still wasn't back yet. "It wasn't your fault. Don't you go feeling guilty."
Zelena offered a chair to Mary next to Emma's bed after greeting her, as Regina sat on the other side. She decided to stay a bit in the back and sat by her mom. Ryleigh surprised everyone by going to Mary and climbing up on her lap.
Emma smiled. "You came." She said quietly. "What about Lilly and Conner?"
"They're fine, sweetheart. They do want to see you when you're better, but they're okay. Right now, I'm here for you. As a doctor, I want you to rest. As your mother, I order it." She smiled softly. "I'm here for anything you need, sweetheart. If you need me to watch Ryleigh, you got it. If you need me to bring you soup, you got it."
"Thank you. I just…I'm really tired right now, but it means so much to me that you're all here." She looked at Cora. "Is Ryleigh okay staying with you?"
"Of course, Emma, don't you even worry about that."
"Maybe we should go so you can get some sleep." Regina said reluctantly.
"Can you come back tomorrow?" Emma asked, her voice raspy and a bit scared.
"I can come back later tonight, love. I just know you won't rest if we're all here."
Emma smiled softly. "You know me so well." As she was saying goodbye, she asked Mary to stick around just for a moment. She did her best to kiss Ryleigh and assured her she'd be okay.
Once they left, Mary sat down and took Emma's hand. "I was so scared when I heard the phone drop. I thought…" She teared up and wiped her eyes with a tissue. "I thought you were being taken from me. I'm so glad you're going to be okay. I meant what I said, baby girl. If you need anything, I'm here."
Emma smiled softly and took her hand. "I can't thank you enough for being here. I hate being alone and my biggest fear is to be alone in the hospital. But knowing you're all here makes it better. Mom, I…I want you to get to know Ryleigh, even if I'm in here. I'll tell Cora and Regina that it's okay. And if you want to introduce her to Lilly and Conner, that's okay too."
Mary smiled softly. "Thank you. She's such a smart little one for her age."
Emma also smiled as much as she could. "She is. It's hard to believe she's only going to be four and not five. I need to get her into school though."
"Don't you worry about that. We will make sure it's all taken care of."
Emma took a few breaths. "I'm so tired. Can I call you later?"
"Only if you feel okay. If you don't, I understand. Emma? Do you want me to stay until you fall asleep? It won't take long. And when you're ready, if you're ready, your siblings would like to see you." She said softly.
"Please? Thank you, mom. Maybe they can come tomorrow? Oh, I don't know why they would know, but can you make sure they know not to let anyone else in to see me like Killian or dad? I signed the paperwork so they can give you and Regina information so it's not just Cora."
"I will, baby. You just rest; neither David or Killian will get in here. I promise I'll keep you safe." She said and kissed her forehead. She watched as Emma's features relaxed and she fell asleep, glad she was able to do so. She couldn't help herself as she looked to see what medications she was on and approved of the treatment. "I love you, sweetheart." She said quietly as she left the room.