A Twist Of Fate

Chpter 12

I woke up the next morning feeling differently about life and the way I've been living mine. I've spent the last 9 months pretty much locked up in my home with my daughter thinking I was doing the right thing. Maybe for the most part I was, but I was forgetting that I needed to learn how to live again without my wife. Yes I'm still grieving her and a part of me always will. We loved each other, we created a beautiful daughter together. I really feel like maybe I've let Zelena down somehow. She wouldn't want me to be crying over her day after day. I need to get back to living again and even though she's to young to understand now, I need to show my daughter that when life kicks you down and you don't know how to pull yourself up again, there are still reasons to live. Right now my reason is Angelica. I'm broken from my thoughts as I hear my daughter through the baby monitor. I get up and walk into her room and she's standing up in her crib. "Good morning baby girl. Did you sleep well?"  I take her out of the crib and hold her close. I change her diaper and we go downstairs so I can start making her breakfast. "How about some apple cinnamon oatmeal this morning sweetie?"  I ask as I put her in the highchair. I put the radio on as I usually do in the morning and start preparing the oatmeal. I decided I'd have that this morning as well. After we ate I took her upstairs and washed her up and put some clean clothes on her then I put her in the playpen in my room and took a quick shower. After I got dressed I sent my mom a text asking if I could come over to talk. She said yes I I told her I'd be there soon. I made sure I had everything I needed for Angie in her diaper bag and we left to see my mother. She opened the door for us and held out her arms for Angie and I let her take the baby. We walked over and sat on the couch. "So Emma you said in the text that you wanted to talk?"  "Yes. First I wanted to apologize to you. I may have been a little too cranky a few days ago when you woke me up and I may have taken things a little to far with what I said".  "Emma I understand and thank you".  "Please let me finish. I realized this morning that I have been shutting myself off from everything and everyone. It wasn't until this weekend that I actually noticed how much I've missed and while I don't think I've been totally wrong in the way I've been grieving Zelena I didn't take into consideration that you all loved her too. So I'm going to try to start living again. My daughter needs it and so do I".  "That's wonderful Emma. I'm so happy to hear that".  "Thanks. There is also something else. I really don't want you telling me that I should be doing things a certain way. Because I'll probably blow up like I did the other day. I need to do this at my own pace. And please don't just show up at my house. Just text first and I'll let you know if it's a good time. Can you respect all that?"   "Yes Emma. I can. Thank you". We hugged and talked for a little while. I also sent Regina a text asking if she was free for a visit sometime today and she replied that she was open for lunch. So we agreed to meet at Granny's at noon. When Angie and I get there Regina is already waiting for us. She stood up as I walked us over to the table. Angie quickly went into her arms. "Hello my little princess. How are you today?"  Regina gives her kisses and smiles over at me. She puts the baby in the highchair and straps her in then takes a seat herself. "I'm glad you were available for lunch today Regina I was hoping we could talk a bit". Before she could say anything Ruby came over to us. She coos at the baby then took our orders. "So Emma what's on your mind?"   "I need to thank you again for this weekend. I didn't realize how much I was missing out on and how much Angie was missing out on by me being in the house all the time. I thought I was go through the grieving process but I was just shutting down and locking ourselves away and it didn't dawn on me till this morning when I realized what a great time I had. Seeing people I haven't seen in years and laughing. I can't remember when I have laughed so much like I did this weekend".  "Emma. That's so wonderful. I'm really glad I could help you with that".  "Well I'm hoping you may be able to help me again".  "Of course. I'll do anything I can".  "Well, I thought you'd be the one to go to that could help me. I was hoping to find a part time job".  "What about the sheriffs department?"   "I'm not sure about that yet. I've been out of the game for 9 months now. I'm out of shape and I would need to brush up on a few things. So I was thinking of waiting till Angie is a bit older before I go back to the department".  "Ok. Have you been thinking about what you may want to do?" Ruby brought our lunches over and we began to eat. "Maybe something just a few hours a day maybe".  "Hmm. Let me think a bit".  A few minutes later she says. "You know Emma, the high school needs someone to help out the security team over the weeks of summer school. Do you think that's something you'd be interested in?"  "I don't see why not. I do have a security background. I would just need to get the hours worked out and find someone to watch Angie".  "You know my office does have a great daycare if that's something you'd be interested in. The school is right around the corner and I'm one floor up so either one of us could get to her if she's not feeling well or something".  "Would she be able to go to that daycare if I don't work there?"  "Of course she will. She's my niece and they wouldn't dare say no to the Mayor".  I laugh at that because I know she's right.  "So you want the security job?"  "Sure what the heck".  "Great. When I get back to the office I'll call the principal and find out the times and what you need to do".  "Thank you so much Regina. I don't know how I can repay you".  "Just keep getting better". She says with a smile. After lunch I Regina went back to her office and I took Angie to the park. It was our first time going there and it was great. There were other parents there with children of all ages. We spent the a few hours there and I was invited into a mommy and me group. The woman that I was talking to seemed nice and her son played well with Angie. So if my new schedule works in my favor I may join the mommy and me group. I need to keep getting out of the house. I'm not trying to forget my wife, I'm just trying to live in a way that I  hope she would be proud of. Later on that night after I put Angie to bed I get a text from Regina asking if it was a good time to talk. I replied yes and she could call my cell if she wanted to. She did and she told me that she talked to the principal of Storybrooke high and my hours would be 10 - 3 Tuesday through Thursday. No Friday's or weekends. I thought that was great. I could still spend the mornings and evenings with Angie and Regina said she already talked to the head of the daycare center and they have a spot for Angie whenever I'm ready. All I need to do now is meet with principal Hogan to fill out an application and sign some paperwork. I really can't thank Regina enough for all she's done for me and Angie all these months. We say good night and end our call. I'm actually excited. I shut off the lights and check the windows and doors like always. I head upstairs and check on my little girl. She's sleeping peacefully. I say to her quietly. "I love you my baby girl. You are my life and I will do everything I can to make sure that you have a happy, safe and well adjusted childhood. Sweet dreams my love". I kiss my first 2 fingers and place them on her forehead. "Good night baby".