Rockabye

Epilogue

"Are you ready?"

Regina's eyes flutter closed as she inhales one last deep breath. Emma's cold fingers slither between her digits and squeeze some life back into Regina's body. Regina holds onto Emma as her lifeline, to steady her body from floating away. Her eyes finally open and she nods.

The lady mimics Regina's curt nod and twists the doorknob to allow them to enter. Regina tightens her hold while butterflies swarm the pit of her stomach and adrenaline ripples through her bloodstream. Out of the corner of her eye she finds her wife flashing her a giddy smile and just like that all her anxious worries float away.

Straight ahead, Regina spots the warm chestnut tresses falling effortlessly down her back. Instantly her lips crack into a smile while her eyes betray her and fill with tears. Emma's fingers slowly slip away as she timidly takes another step forward, but Regina understands the magnetic pull Emma is feeling in this moment.

"Charlie," the woman softly greets the little girl prompting the brunette to peer over her shoulder. "Look who's here," the social worker happily cheers as she points to Regina and Emma.

Charlie's honey colored eyes follow the woman's finger until they rest upon the two women she met a few days ago. Her head falls to the side as she tries to understand what they are feeling. Regina's eyes are watery even though she is still holding a delicate smile while Emma is smiling as well but she looks uncomfortable to the five year old little girl.

"Hi," Emma mutters and shuffles her feet just a smidge closer. She squats down and rests her elbows upon her knees directly in front of Charlie. "Do you remember what day it is today?"

Honey colored irises flick behind Emma toward Regina, where the woman's smile grows even wider, then Charlie's eyes dart quickly toward the social worker for guidance. The room falls silent for a moment and Regina swears everyone in the room can hear her heart beating loud and clear.

Charlie's thin lips twist as she thinks about the question once more. She bites down on the inside corner of her mouth and Regina wishes she could tug that lip free before the little girl hurts herself.

"I go home with you today?" Charlie innocently questions, the uncertainty in her response is like a sharp needle poking deep into Regina's heart.

"Yes honey," Regina softly murmurs as her feet move to their own accord, right next to her wife.

"When do I come back here?" Charlie inquisitively inquires as she tilts her head to the side in thought.

"Oh no, no," Emma hastily rushes out and reaches for the little girl's hand. "You never have to come back here again. Once you come home with us, you are home, forever."

"Hmm," Charlie hums as she considers Emma's explanation. "I've lived in four houses," she states as her eyes narrow at Emma, challenging her to admit the inevitable truth, that soon she will come back to another foster home.

"She sounds like you, when you were this age," Regina whispers into Emma's personal space as she bends down to mirror Emma's stance. "I promise you Charlie, our home will be your home now. We want you to be our daughter, if you want that."

"I do," the little girl quickly rushes out, not wanting these women to leave her behind.

Regina smiles from ear to ear, a smile that reaches her eyes and inspires her irises to dance with pure love. "Okay then, let's go home," she holds out her hand and waits patiently for Charlie to accept the gesture.

The sweet five year old's eyes frantically shift all around the room for an answer to some unknown question. She hesitates at first, but Regina and Emma are patient and know this is to be expected.