A Twist Of Fate

Chapter 7

I look at the clock on my dashboard as I'm driving. It's after 9am on a weekday so I drive to the town hall. Regina is the Mayor so I'm sure that's where she'll be.
I park and head into the building. I walk up to where her office is and stop at her secretary's desk is. "Good morning Deputy Swan. How can I help you?"  "I need to see the Mayor please".  "I'm sorry she's on a conference call right now. Perhaps you could come back later?"   "I need to see her now it's a family emergency and this can't wait. Please tell her it's extremely urgent". She takes one look at me and knows I'm not kidding around. She picks up her phone to tell Regina I'm here. It goes back and forth till finally I'm told I can go in. I take a deep breath and walk through the door. I walk up to the desk. "Emma what's so urgent that couldn't wait?"  "It's ahh ahh".  "Please just spit it out Ms Swan. I don't have all day".  "It's Zelena. She ahh. Went into labor last night".  "And that's wonderful but why did I have to get off my conference call".  "There were some complications and ahh. Zelena she. She didn't make it Regina. I'm sorry". She looks stunned at my words and my tears fall once more.  "No. That can't be. She's young and healthy. There must be some mistake".  "I'm sorry Regina. I was there".  She gets up and walks around her office. "The baby is doing well. We have a daughter".  She nods but she doesn't look at me. I walk over to her and put my hand on her shoulder and she doesn't move away from me. "This is so ridiculous Emma. We were trying to become sisters again. I wasted so much time being angry at the both of you. I lost so much time and now she's gone". Her face is so pale and I can see she's beginning to cry. I take a chance and give her a hug and she lets me. We are both crying as we try to console each other. We cry for what seems like forever and Regina moves back a little. She sits on the couch in her office and I sit next to her. She asked me to tell her what happened and I explained everything to her the way I was told. "I just can't believe this". She says. "Ya I know the feeling".  "You said the baby was fine?"   "Yes. A little girl".  I told Regina I haven't given her a name yet and why. She understood. "Do you think I could see her".  "Of course Regina. Would you like to come to the hospital with me now? My parents are there with her".  "You wouldn't mind?"   "No of course not. Come on get your things. I'll drive you". She grabs her purse and we walk out to her secretary and she tells her to clear everything for the day and if anything comes up call the deputy mayor. We leave in my car to return to the hospital. We walk into the room and my dad is feeding her with the nurse right there to help if needed. My mom gets up and hugs Regina and says how sorry she is. My dad says the same from where he is with the baby. Once my mother lets Regina go she walks over to look at the baby. She sits next to my dad and smiles. She touches the top of the baby's head. "It looks like she may have some red hair".   "I thought the same thing".  I said. The 4 of us sat and passed the baby around for a little while till she fell asleep and I put her back in her crib. "Emma have you eaten anything?"  "No mom I'm fine. I'm not hungry right now".  "Ok. How about your dad and I go have lunch at Granny's and we can bring you back something".  "Thanks but I really don't want anything".  "Emma please. You have to eat something. A burger and fries or maybe a grilled cheese". I just shake my head no.  "Well I'm bringing you back something anyway, I'll surprise you. Regina would you like something?"   "No Mary Margaret. Thank you though".  "Ok so that'll be 2 surprise lunches then".   "Mom while your there can you tell Ruby and Granny what happened and tell whoever else is there that knew Zelena?  And tell them I'll call them soon".  "Of course Emma".  My mom and dad hug us both and then leave. "She still doesn't give up easily does she?"  "Nope". We sit in an awkward silence for a moment then I ask. "What about you parents Regina, should I call them and tell them what happened?  I know your mother hasn't talk to Zelena in years but she's still her mother".  "My parents are on vacation in Italy right now. I'll call them if that's ok with you".   "That would probably be better. I doubt your mother would take a call from me anyway". She takes her phone out of her purse and taps the screen a few times. She puts the phone to her ear and waits. I'm watching her as she begins to speak. I see tears come to her eyes, which makes me start to cry. I listen as she explains everything to her mother. Tears are falling from both of us. I hear Regina start to argue with her mother. "Jesus mother have you any feeling at all. Zelena is still your daughter".  I can't hear Cora on the other end of the call but knowing her she's probably upset that Regina is ruining her vacation. "Never mind mother. This conversation is over. Oh you have a granddaughter by the way". And that's where Regina ends the call. "She's such a bitch. She actually said to me that she was all the way in Italy and what was she supposed to do.  She's unbelievable".  "Well she knows now. The rest is up to her". There was a knock at the door and Dr. Archie Hopper came walking in. "Emma, Regina. I can't even begin to tell you both how sorry I am for your loss".  We both say thank you to him then I ask who he knew already. "I'm on staff here at the hospital. I come in a few times a week for some grief counseling and I also try help people that have lost loved ones. I was told a little while ago what happened and I wanted to see if you needed anything".  "Thanks for coming Archie but  I really don't know what I need right now. I have no idea what I should do or what needs to be done".  "May I sit with you both?"  Regina and I nod. "It's perfectly normal not to know right now. Especially when everything just happened. If it's ok I'd like to help you, just to tell you the few decisions you'll need to make soon". I nod. Archie went on and on about preparing for a funeral. He talked about a burial or cremation. I really didn't want to hear or think about any of this and to be honest it was kind of pissing me off. "Archie please stop". I stand up and start pacing around the room. "I can't hear any more. This is so ridiculous. Zelena is only 28 years old. We have our whole lives ahead of us. How can this be happening. How do I tell my beautiful daughter that she'll never get to meet her mother and how do I explain how she died ?  Do I just say 'Sorry kid she died giving birth to you'.  How the hell is that going to make her feel?"  "Emma I can understand how you feel".  "Oh you can Archie, because my wife is dead. Tell me how you felt when you lost your wife. You can't. Well I'll tell you how it feels. It sucks. I'm supposed to be planning on taking my family home but instead I have to plan my wife's funeral". I'm crying and shouting and it wakes up the baby. Regina quickly goes to her and picks her up. Her cries snap me out of my rants. "Archie I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to unload on you".  "It's ok Emma. You have a lot going on right now".   "Thank you Archie. Regina is she ok?"   "She's fine Emma. She went right back to sleep".  My parents come walking in and see I've been crying. "Emma. What's going on?" My mom asks rushing over to me. "I'm fine mom. I just got a little upset that's all".  She looks around the room and then her and my dad greet Archie. Archie asks if it ok to continue on with the conversation now that my parents are here. He says they may be able to help. I nod and try to tune everything out.