Chapter 6
Over the next month, Emma flourished in school and at home. She was sleeping mostly through the nights with less and less nightmares, seeing Archie once a week, and was on track to be in her regular math class by the end of the term. She and Mal did have a few little 'fights', but they were the normal teenage things and Mal had passed every one of Emma's subconscious tests.
Emma never took her shoes to her room anymore, nor did she have her backpack packed and ready to go. She thought of Mal's as home, even if she still wasn't one hundred percent sure she fully trusted this yet. She wondered if she ever would.
Mal did everything she could to make Emma feel safe and loved and secure, but even she knew it was up to Emma to fully feel that way. She and Ingrid were seeing more of each other after Ingrid got the go ahead from her boss. Her boss knew Ingrid could keep professional when needed, and didn't worry about it affecting the placement.
Emma loved nights with both Mal and Ingrid and sometimes could forget this wasn't her natural family. She loved nights alone with Mal as well as the two continued their hair brushing, braiding, and talking each night.
Mal and Zelena had a few conversations with each other and they both assumed Regina and Emma had feelings for each other, but they both agreed they were young and wouldn't push anything. However, Mal wanted Emma to know it was okay and that she wouldn't judge her for whom she may be attracted to. With that in mind, Mal sat down behind Emma and started brushing her hair. It was a Friday and that usually meant longer conversations.
"Emma? You know that I love you, right?"
Emma's breath hitched, not sure where this conversation would go. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes."
"And that means all of you; whomever you are, I love you."
Emma was confused. "O..okay. What does that mean?"
Mal sighed and decided to just say it. "If you find you're attracted to Regina, that's okay. Just because she's my niece, doesn't mean you have to be scared to like her."
Emma blushed hard at that. "I…I've always found girls much more attractive and interesting than boys and I think Regina is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life, but I'm not ready for all that. I have a lot of self healing to do first." She smiled as Mal hugged her from behind as she always did. "But it's good to know you'd be okay with it. Maybe one day I'll be ready and, hopefully, I'll still be here with you."
"You will be. Unless it doesn't happen until you're off to college, but I'd still want you home during your breaks."
Emma swallowed, trying her hardest to blink back tears. "College?" Her question came out in an emotional whisper.
"If that's what you want. I'm not one of those who believes the only option is college, but it is an option. College, trade school, certification, or full time working - all with the option of a 'gap year' after graduating; the choice is yours. But whatever it is you decide, I want to see you at least…" She thought a bit. "At least ten…no, fourteen weeks a year."
"Fourteen? That's like…a little over three months."
Mal smiled. "You're right, Smarty Pants. That could be summer, but I'd love it if you'd come home at Christmas too."
Emma found herself imagining what it could be like going to college and having a home to come to on winter and summer breaks.
"Whatch ya doing this weekend, Swan" a faceless fellow student asked in Emma's imagination.
Emma smiled. "Home. My moms go over the top when I come home, but I secretly love it."
She pictured herself driving up and parking the car in front of the grand house. She'd pull out her luggage, laundry, and gifts, lugging them to the door taking three trips; all the while knowing her moms were watching her from inside; probably laughing softly when she almost tripped. Finally the door opens and Mal comes out, hugging Emma tightly, kissing her head before cupping her cheeks and smiling at her. "I've missed you, Flower."
"I've missed you too, mom." Both dream Emma and real Emma stated, the latter freezing in shock. "I mean I um…" She swallowed, trying to stop her panic attack. She felt Mal's arms tighten around her comfortingly, and felt her deep breaths and worked to copy them. After a bit, she closed her eyes. "I…I had a daydream and I didn't mean to say that out loud."
"It's okay, Emma." Mal said, soothingly. "You don't have to explain if you don't want to. If you do want to, I promise I won't judge you."
"I do…I trust you." Emma said and swallowed. She then surprised Mal by turning so she was facing her; slowly bringing her eyes up to make contact.
Mal was taken aback by the vulnerability Emma was showing her; letting her know the seriousness of what Emma was about to tell her. She gave a little nod as Emma took her hands.
"You mentioned college. No past foster parent has ever said I could go to college. They'd remind me about how I have nothing; no money, no credit, no family, and no brain." She swallowed and blinked back tears. "But when you said that; when you said you believed I could go to college, I pictured it. I pictured coming home on break and hugging you; Ingrid behind you as she waits for her hug. You said you missed me and I said I missed you too…mom." Emma carefully watched Mal for her reaction.
Mal was so touched and found herself blinking back tears. "You call me mom in your head?" When Emma nodded, Mal cupped Emma's cheeks and kissed her forehead. "You can call me Mom out loud as well, if you wanted to. No pressure, but…oh it would mean the world to me."
Mal watched as Emma's eyes went from vulnerable and fearful to happy and grateful. Emma wrapped her arms around Mal and held her close. "Thank you, Mom."
The next Wednesday, Mal was working in her home office when her phone rang. Seeing it was the school, she felt her heart quicken its pace. "Hello? This is Mal."
"Mal, hi. It's Anna, the school nurse. I have Emma with me."
"Is she okay? Did something happen?" Mal asked, worry burning through her.
"She's okay, well she has some pain. She said it hurt this morning but she thought maybe she was getting her monthly a little early. Unfortunately, the pain has been getting worse and she's got a low grade fever." She lowered her voice. "I think it may be her appendix. I really think you need to come get her."
Mal felt relief that nothing extreme had happened, but also fearful of what the poor girl was going through. "I'll be right there. Tell her I'm on my way and it'll all be okay." Mal hung up and grabbed everything she needed before going to get Emma.
Going home early - not feeling good. Sure it's nothing, but don't wait for me. Txt you later. -E. Emma hit send and closed her eyes as she sat in the office waiting for Mal. She tried to take a deep breath but the pain in her side made her gasp and clutch at it. Her eyes grew wide as a sudden wave of nausea hit her. Luckily the nurse was ready and held up a bin for Emma to get sick in. Anna jotted down a few notes just as Mal came in. "Oh good. I just finished everything I'd like you to tell the doctor at urgent care."
Mal took the paper but then went right over to Emma, putting an arm around her and feeling her forehead with the other. "Oh Flower. Come on; let's get you to the doctor."
Emma froze before pulling away, shaking her head. "No. I don't want to go to the hospital or the clinic." She held at her side as she started breathing heavily. "Please don't make me go. Please." She begged, tears streaming down her face.
"Emma, sweetheart." Mal said, holding her close. "Honey, it's okay. Nothing bad will happen to you there. You need to be seen."
Emma swallowed and tried to calm down. "Will…will you stay…with me?" She asked as she sniffed. "Don't leave me there alone, please."
Mal brushed hair back from Emma's clammy forehead and kissed it. "I may not be able to go with you if they need to do any scans, but I will be in your room waiting. I won't leave you there. Even if you have to stay overnight, they don't have set visiting hours, so I would stay the whole time."
Emma studied Mal's eyes and, for the first time, didn't question her. Instead, she swallowed and nodded. "I'm really scared, but I'll go."
Mal helped her up. "Thank you." She looked at Anna. "Anything you can give me in case she gets sick on the way?"
Anna handed her a sick bag. "I hope you feel better, Emma."
"Thank you."
Emma was admitted into urgent care and hooked up to an IV to get some fluids going. She explained her symptoms and gave the nurse the paper her school nurse had given them. Then she was taken for some scans and ultrasounds, happy to see Mal was in fact still there when she got back. She groaned as she held her right side. "It hurts so bad."
"I know, baby. They need to know what they're dealing with before they can give you any kind of painkillers. They haven't said for sure, but from what I gather, they're thinking appendicitis. That would mean surgery, but I'll be waiting for you and I'll stay right by your side once you're out."
Emma nodded and looked over as the door opened. It wasn't the nurse this time, but a woman doctor. "Hi Emma, my name is Dr. Eva." She said, sitting by Emma's bed and looking between Mal and Emma. "Emma, have you ever heard of Ovarian torsion or twisted ovary?" When Emma shook her head, she continued. "It's rare, but it can happen when a female has had certain kinds of physical trauma, like a car accident or…"
"Or a motorcycle crash." Emma finished with a sigh. "Why didn't they notice it back then?"
"Because it's something that happened afterwards. It's not always instant. Luckily, there's no accompanying cyst and I have high hopes we can save the ovary, but that means emergency surgery. We're going to get you prepped now." She said as some nurses came in. As they were getting things ready, Eva explained how the laparoscopy worked and how the scar would be minimal. "You'll be out of school for two to three weeks and no gym class until I clear you. Are you in any sports or other activities?"
"No. I was going to maybe try out for softball, but that's not until later in the year."
"Okay, good. You should be all healed by then." Eva smiled. "I've done this hundreds of times for various types of surgeries. You're in good hands."
Mal listened and took it all in. She asked Eva a few questions and then called Ingrid to make sure she could sign any paperwork needed and to fill her in on what was happening.
"Oh no. Yes, sign the paperwork; I'm on my way and will be there shortly. Tell Emma I'll be waiting with you there for her to come out."
"I will. I'm trying not to worry too much, but I can't help it. The girl has never had to have any surgeries other than a few teeth removed; this is serious."
"It is, but it's not a difficult surgery, Sweetheart. Breathe."
Mal smiled softly. "Thanks. I'm going to talk to Emma before they take her back." She hung up and went over to Emma as the nurse finished giving her more meds in her IV. She brushed back Emma's hair and kissed her forehead. "You're just going to take a nice nap and Ingrid and I will be waiting for you when you're done." She looked into tired green eyes. "I love you, Flower."
Emma smiled sleepily as the medication started working. "I love you, Mama. I'll try not to be too scared."
"Okay Emma, you should be feeling tired now so we're going to get you back to the operation room." The nurse looked at Mal. "It honestly shouldn't take more than an hour for the actual surgery, but she'll be in recovery for a few hours before we move her to another room."
As they took Emma, another nurse came and explained how they'd keep her updated through text messages and gave directions to the waiting room, though Mal knew this place as she'd grown up here. She tried flipping through magazines but was glad when she saw Zelena joining her in the waiting room. "How did you know I was here?" She asked, hugging her niece.
"Actually, I didn't. I just had an interview with reception and I saw you out here. What's going on?"
"Oh? How did it go?" Mal asked and sighed before explaining what happened with Emma.
"I think it went well." Zelena listened. "Poor thing. She's been through so much."
"I know, and I hope this is it for her for a long time." She couldn't help her small smile. "She called me Mama."
Zelena smiled warmly back. "I'm not surprised. You two were really meant to find each other. I'm glad and happy for you both."
"I completely agree." Ingrid said as she came over, kissing Mal's cheek before hugging Zelena. "Any updates?"
Mal shook her head and looked at her watch. "No, but she hasn't been back there long."
"I'm going to go get Regina. Is it okay if we come back?"
"Of course, but if Emma isn't feeling like visitors when she's done, don't be upset."
"Oh, of course we won't be. I'd rather be here than not be though."
Mal smiled and hugged Zelena again. "Thank you." As her niece left, Mal looked at Ingrid. "Emma had a daydream about us." She stated and shared Emma's story.
Ingrid smiled softly. "I can picture it. It would be amazing. The three of us a family with Zelena and Regina as extended family. I'd love that."
"Well, I get to be Mama." Mal chuckled. Her phone vibrated and she and Ingrid went to the desk. "I got a message saying there's an update on my daughter."
"Yes, the doctor is in consultation room B. You can go in."
They did so and Dr. Eva smiled. "She did great. She's not awake yet, but the surgery is over. It went perfectly and so long as she rests and takes it easy, she'll be recovered in no time."
"Oh, thank goodness. When can I see her?" Mal asked as Ingrid took notes.
"She'll be in recovery for another hour, and then you can take her home. This isn't a surgery where she must stay overnight or anything, so as long as she does a few things we need her to do, like use the bathroom and walk a bit, she can go. For now, I can take you back to recovery to see her, but she will be groggy."
Mal chewed on her lip. "The study isn't set up as her room anymore. Will she be able to do stairs, or should I go make it ready?"
"I'll go get the study ready honey, you just focus on Emma."
"A day or two before she goes up steps would be good. Of course, she can use them, she just has to take them slow." The doctor stated. "I made copies of her paperwork since I know she's in foster care." She said, handing a stack to Ingrid and a stack to Mal. "I'll go through all of this with you and Emma, but these are mostly just directions on recovery and taking care of the small incisions. Come on, I'll take you back."
As Ingrid was leaving to get the room ready, she ran into Regina and Zelena. She gave them the update, and they agreed to go to Mal's to help with the room and get some food ready, though they knew Emma may not be hungry.
Emma smiled sleepily as Mal came back and kissed her forehead. "You're still here."
"I told you I would be, Flower." Mal said and sat down. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"
Emma shook her head. "No, just sleepy. And kinda hungry."
"Well, let's get you through all this so you can get home and eat." The nurse stated.
"I don't have to stay?"
"Nope." Mal said with a smile. "You get to come home. Ingrid is getting the study ready in case you didn't want to take the stairs tonight. Doc said one to two nights unless you want to use the stairs slowly."
"The study is fine. The bed is really comfortable."
After Emma used the bathroom, slowly walked some hallways, got the IV out, was dressed, and instructions were given, she and Mal headed home. It was about seven when they pulled in and Emma saw the lights on. "Regina's here. That's sweet." She said and looked at Mal, her eyes still sleepy. "We're home."