Chapter 18: Answers and Next Steps
Emma couldn't stop thinking about her pending trip with Killian. After everything with Walsh, Milah, Zelena, and her health they needed this little break away from everything. Emma was sitting at work filing when her phone started ringing. Looking at the screen, Emma excused herself to the break room to take it since it Dr. Vidrio.
"Hello?" Emma answered nervously.
"Hi Emma, this is Dr. Vidrio, do you have a few moments to talk?"
"Yes, I do."
"Wonderful. So, I got your test results back, now I need you to not panic please, ok?"
"Ok…"
"From your MRI results it looks like you are in the beginning stages of Multiple Sclerosis. Do you know what that is?"
"Vaguely."
"So Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic condition that can cause damage to the central nervous system which can include brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. That's why you have numbness is because your nerves are inflamed. But the good news is that we caught it early enough that if we start you on treatment right away it should cause minimal damage to your system."
Emma felt like a piano was just dropped on her, "So Killian surprised me with a trip, and we leave next week, will that mess the treatment up?"
"No. We can get you in to start steroid infusions the next 3 days and once you get back, we can get you started on medication."
"Steroids?"
"Yes, it helps counteract the inflammation of the nerves."
"When do you want me to come in?"
"Can you come in at 1 o'clock p.m. the next 3 days? It'll take about 2 hours each session."
"Yes, I will be there."
"Don't worry Emma, we caught it in time. I'll see you tomorrow."
Emma hung up the phone and was doing everything in her power to fight back tears. Her entire world just shattered.
She approached her father's office, tears streaming down her face doing her best to regain her composure. David turned in his chair on the phone and saw his daughter's state and immediately grew worried.
"Hey Marco, I'm going to have to call you back shortly… Yeah... Ok… Bye." David immediately got up and took Emma in a hug, "What's wrong Pumpkin?"
"I got a call from Dr. Vidrio."
"What did she say?"
"She says I have Multiple Sclerosis." Emma took a deep breath and started explaining everything the Dr said, the treatment, and the next steps forward.
"No cure, but it is treatable?" David asked quietly.
"Yes."
"Emma," David took a step back, "I know this is not ideal, at all. But you are strong, and you will find a way to fight this." He hugged her again. "When do you start your treatment?"
"The next 3 days."
"Ok, so take the rest of the day off and only work half days the next few days."
"But Dad..."
"No ma'am, no buts out of you. I want you to be better, the job will still be here."
She nodded, "Ok," she paused, "Daddy what do I tell Killian?"
"Just tell him the truth, he is a good man, and he will be with you through this along with your mother and myself."
Emma nodded. They had been through so much; it would kill her if she lost him again.
"Go home kiddo. Call me later."
Emma gave her father a hug and left to go home, feeling a weight on her chest heavier than ever.
Killian was impatiently trying to finish work. David texted him and told him that Emma's doctor called but she wanted to discuss it with him in person, which told him it was going to be bad. Killian pulled in the driveway and saw her bug and lights on in the house. He felt like there was a hand gripping on his heart and was struggling to breathe. But he would stay by her side through this no matter what it was. He entered the house, the smell of dinner and music blaring greeting him as he entered.
"Em?" He called out as he came inside.
She came flying around the corner out of the kitchen and launched herself into his arms. He held her close to him, still in his work clothes smelling of fish.
"Emma, I still smell like fish."
"I don't care!" She cried, muffled by this shoulder.
He pulled her back and kissed her softly, "Tell you what, let me change, we will have dinner, and you can tell me about what the doctor said, yeah?"
Emma nodded, kissing him again and went back to the kitchen. Killian jogged up the stairs and changed into sweats and a hoodie and ran back down the stairs to join Emma. She had set the table after making shepherd's pie for dinner. He found her sitting at the table with her head in her hands. Kylian came up behind her and kissed her on top of her head before joining her at the table.
"This smells delicious love."
Emma gave him a small smile and looked back down to her plate, slowly pushing her food around her plate. She wasn't talking, she wasn't eating much, she wasn't really looking at him and it was scaring him.
"Emma," Killian reached across the table and took her hand. "You're scaring me. Whatever the doctor told you, we can face it head on together, but I need you to talk to me."
Emma started to tear up and put her head in her hands. "It's a death sentence."
"Oh, my love, come here." Killian pulled Emma into his lap and braced her in his arms. "No matter what it is, we can face it."
"Dr. Vidrio said that i have multiple sclerosis." Emma took a deep breath and told Killian about what the doctor said and about her treatment. Intertwining their fingers, he listened intently and absorbed the information. He was thankful that their trip was still on, but he was more worried about Emma. He had known her most of his life, and he had never seen her so defeated before.
"Killian." Emma paused for a moment, knowing what she was about to say was going to shatter her heart. "I know that this isn't what you signed up for, so if you want out, I understand."
"Em, what the hell are you trying to say?"
She was openly sobbing. "That if you don't want to be with me anymore and find someone less broken, I understand. There will be no hard feelings."
Killian felt like he just had his heart ripped from his chest. Did this beautiful woman, his Emma, really think that he would leave her at all, but especially over something like this? It was out of her control, things like this happen but he absolutely was not going to leave her. She tried to slip out of his arms, but Killian clamped down on Emma's waist not letting her move.
"Emma, do you really think I would leave you over this?" She looked down, he gently lifted her chin up so his eyes could meet hers. "Swan, I Love you, this is something that is completely out of your control. What kind of man would I be if I left you over something like this? We are partners, are we not?"
Emma nodded, trying to get her emotions under control.
"So, this is no different than anything else. We will face it together like we always do."
"Ok," she whispered.
"But I don't ever want to hear you say anything like that ever again. I will always, always be by your side. Do you understand?"
"I do. I love you so much." Emma wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tightly.
Killian picked her up and sat down on the couch and cradled her in his lap. "I love you Emma," he kissed the side of her head, "I know this is scary, but I can promise you that you will never be alone. I will go with you to your infusions, and I promise you, we will figure this out."
Emma kissed him with every ounce of passion she could muster, she didn't know what she would do if she ever lost him again.
The white walls of the hospital were blinding as Emma glanced around. She was sitting in an infusion chair with an IV and bag attached to her arm as Killian held her other hand. He kept his promise through each infusion he was there for her. They played card games, tic tac toe, and colored together. He helped the time pass, keeping her mind off of everything around her. The nurse approached and she beat Killian again.
"Alright Emma, you are all done." Nurse Susan started removing the IV from her hand. "Third infusion done. Do you have any questions for me?"
"How long will it take for the feeling to come back?"
"Unfortunately, there is no really set timeline. It just depends on how well you can relax and let your body rest."
"We do have a vacation coming up," Killian commented, "Would that be ok for her still?"
"Absolutely, I think she could really use it. Just let us know when you get back, and we will get her treatment going."
"Thank you, nurse." Killian stated and helped Emma up out of the chair. They headed out of the hospital and got in his truck to head home. She held his hand and absentmindedly rubbed her thumb across his knuckles as she looked out the window trying to calm her racing mind.
"It's going to be ok my love."
Emma looked at Killian and smiled, doing her best to keep positive. The next week went by rather quickly, between work and preparing for their trip. They were sitting in the airport waiting on their flight. Intimacy had been a bit of a struggle since the ordeal with Walsh and then her new diagnosis directly after. Killian had been so patient with her, not wanting to cause her pain and not being pusy. He wanted to wait until she felt better.
Emma was determined that she would feel better on this trip, so help her.
