A Twist Of Fate

Chapter 16

I woke up a few hours later feeling hungry and a little achy. I slowly get out of bed to use my bathroom then I head downstairs to see what's going on. I find Regina and Angie in the living room playing on the floor. I walk over and sit in the couch and watch them. Regina looks over and smiles at me and I smile back. I continue to watch my daughter play with this toy that has bright lights and makes noises. When she finally noticed me she gave me such a big smile and said something that sounded like mama. I was so surprised. "Oh my god. Did she just say mama?"  She said it again. "Maaaammaaaa".  It could just be baby babble but I don't care it sounds like mama. "She started saying that about a week and a half ago. I of course thought she was calling for you because she hadn't seen you in a while. She didn't see you when you were in a coma".  She came crawling over to me and I carefully lifted her onto my lap. "Emma. No lifting anything".  "It wasn't lifting it was like sliding her up to my lap. I promise I didn't hurt myself".  "Fine. Just please be careful".  I nod as I get a little finger in my cheek. "Maaaamaaaa".   "I'm right here baby girl. I'm sorry I was gone for so long". I kiss her cheek and she puts her head on my shoulder. "Emma are you hungry?"  "Yeah. But I don't think I really have anything in the kitchen".  "Yes I noticed that, but it's ok because I had a few things delivered".  "Oh. You ordered food. What are we having pizza, Chinese?"   "No Emma. I had groceries delivered and I cooked. I made some chicken soup because that is always good to have, and I made some elbow macaroni with a meat sauce. My father used to make it all the time when I was little. It's so simple and so good even when it's reheated. Would you like to have some?"  "Sure. It sounds good. Thank you".  She gets up off the floor and as she starts to walk away I try to stand up with the baby in my arms.  "Emma Swan don't you dare stand up with that baby. Hand her over now".  "Wow fine. Chill out. Are you going to be this the whole time your here?"   "If you changed your mind about me being here Emma please by all means call you mother". She turns with Angie in her arms and leaves the room. "Shit. Way to go Emma". I get up and go to the kitchen. Angie was in her highchair and Regina was scooping out a plateful of her macaroni and placed it on the table. She went to the cabinet and got a jar of baby food and sat down. "Help yourself to whatever you want Emma".  I walked closer to the table. "Regina. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean it the way it came out. I was trying to make a joke. Apparently my timing is off".  "It's fine Emma. Just get something to eat". She takes a bite of her food then gives Angie some of hers. I was hungry earlier but I'm not anymore. "I think I'm just going to lie down. I'm starting not to feel well". She doesn't look at me. She just takes another bite and gives Angie one. I leave the kitchen and go upstairs. I sit on the lounger in my room and start to cry. I'm sure I'm overly sensitive because of my medicine. We haven't even started dating yet and I already pissed her off. I'm such a fuck up. About a half hour goes by and I hear a knock on my bedroom door. Shit. I quickly try to wipe my face dry and say come in. "The door opens and Regina walks in. She sits down next to my legs on the lounger. "Where is Angie?"  "She's downstairs. With your parents".  "You called my mom?"  "No I didn't. They just stopped by to check on you".  I nod and look away. "It's ok if you want you mother to stay here with you. I never should have taken it upon myself to just say that I would. I'm sorry I didn't give you that choice".  "Regina. I really am sorry. I didn't mean it, but I don't you to stay if you really feel you don't want to". I say as a tear falls from my eyes. "Emma why are you crying?"  "Because I fucked up Regina. You've been great through this whole thing and I had to go and get stupid".  She chuckles a little. "You do have a way with words Emma".  "I don't get the joke, but ok".  "Emma. I'm sorry I got a little cranky earlier, and when you said that I got defensive because I wasn't asked to be here and I don't know. I'm just sorry".  "Ok so we are both sorry. Can we please put this behind us?"  "Yes. I'd like that". She slides closer to me and gives me a kiss. "Regina. One more thing. Would you please stay here and help me?"   "Yes Emma. I'd love to". She has a big smile as she leans in to kiss me again. "So I guess I should go down and see my parents now".  "Yes. That's probably a good idea and you will be having something to eat".  "Yes auntie Gina". She laughs and helps me stand up. We go downstairs and my mom runs over to me. "Go easy mom still in some pain".  "Oh. I'm so sorry sweetie. Can I get you anything, are you hungry?"  "Yes I am but Regina actually made me something, so I'm going to go into the kitchen and eat. Stay out here and spend some time with your granddaughter and I'll be back in a little while".  "Ok. Are you sure you don't need any help?"  "It's ok Mary Margaret. I'll help her". Regina and I walk into the kitchen and she fixed me a plate of food. I ate it all and it was delicious. She gave me one of my pain pills because I was late taking it. Then we went back into the living room. We all talked for a little while about how I'm feeling and how Angie has been. Then the big question came from my mother. "Emma your father and I have talked about this and I am happy to spend some time here to help you if you need me".  "Thanks mom I really appreciate you offering but I have already asked Regina to stay here and help us for a little while". She doesn't need to know that we have decided to start seeing each other yet. "But Emma I'm your mother and Regina is the Mayor. I'm sure she has so many other things to do".  "It's ok Mary Margaret. I have a deputy mayor that needs more work. I can also work from here and if I do have to go in I can always take Angelica with me. She already goes to the daycare in my building. Everything is all taken care of".  My mom seems saddened by all this.  "Well if that's what you want Emma. I'll respect your wishes".  "Thanks mom. This is the best thing for all of us. You and dad have a life of your own and you can still visit. As long as you call or text first please".  "Yes. I understand. Well it's getting late David, we should probably be going home now". We all stand up and my dad hands Angie to Regina and we walk them to the door. We say our goodbyes and they leave. "Well that wasn't so bad". Regina laughs and slaps my shoulder. "So it's almost 8:30, if it's not to much, would you like to help me give Angelica her bath?"  "I'd like that very much. Yes".  "Ok so I'll meet you upstairs".  She gives me a wink and goes upstairs with the baby. I go upstairs slowly. Again. This sucks trying to move around. I finally get upstairs and meet them in the main bathroom. Regina set up a stool for me to sit on next to the tub. I smile. She is really great. Angie loves her baths. She loves playing with her toys and she loves the bubbles. Regina wouldn't let me do anything besides play with Angie. After a little while Regina washed her body and her hair. Then she handed me a towel and took Angie out of the tub and placed her in the towel and I wrapped it around her. Regina took her from me and helped me up. We walked into Angie's room and Regina dried her off, put her diaper and pajamas on her then made me sit in the rocking chair in the room. She hands Angie to me and picks up a fairytale book that I have on the shelf in her room. She sits next to us and starts reading the story of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'.  I know she doesn't understand these stories yet but she loves to be read to. She falls asleep before the end of the story as usual. Regina carefully takes her from me and places her into her crib. I get up and Regina and I look down at my sleeping daughter. She's absolutely beautiful. I whisper to Regina. "Thank you for everything you've done for us. I really can't begin to thank you enough".  "No need to thank me Emma. I'm happy to be here". We walk out of the bedroom and go downstairs. We go into the living room and Regina says she's going to clean up the kitchen and put everything away. "Regina let me help you".  "No Emma. I'm fine. Just sit her and find a movie for us to watch and I'll be back in a few minutes".  "Ok. Any preference. Action, romantic comedy, comedy, porn". I'm joking but I'm trying to catch her off guard on the last one. She leans in really close to me. "Emma my love, you are so not ready to watch porn with me yet".  She kisses my lips and walks away. "Holy fuck". I wasn't expecting that in return. I ended up picking out 'My Cousin Vinny'.  When Regina came back she sat close to me and snuggled into my chest. "So what are we watching dear?"  I told her and she laughed and said she loved that movie. When the movie was over my stomach hurt from laughing so much. I probably should have picked a drama but it was worth it all. It was after 11pm so we decided to call it night. All the doors were locked and lights were off. Regina helped me up the stairs and into my room. I did my nightly bathroom routine then Regina helped me into bed. While I was in the bathroom she went back downstairs to get me a bottle of water in case I was thirsty in the middle of the night. She gave me a kiss goodnight and left my room. I suddenly felt so alone. I hated the feeling but I fell asleep anyway. A few hours later I woke up to Angelica crying. I totally forget about my injury and quickly get out of bed. All I feel are sharp pains and yell out and fall back on the bed. "Ahhhh Fuck".  A moment later Regina comes in. "Emma. What's wrong, what happened?"  "I heard Angie cry and I got up to get her and forgot about my stitches. It fucking hurts so bad". I roll over and hold my stomach. "Oh Emma. Let me look at it?"  She moves my hand away and lifts my shirt a bit. "Emma your bleeding. Shit. Don't move". She goes into the bathroom and gets a dry facecloth. She puts it over the bloody area and tells me to stay still. Angie is still crying. "Emma you'll be fine. I have to go take care of Angie and I'll call someone to come help you. Don't worry my love".  "Ok Gina. Thank you. Take care of Angie ok?"   "Of course sweetheart. I'll be back soon. Please don't move".  I nod. She kisses me and goes to Angie. The pain was bad and I don't know if I fell asleep or passed out but when I woke up there was a doctor on my bed restitching me. I was a little startled but Regina was right there to hold my hand and tell me everything was ok. I calmed down a bit but was still scared. "Regina will I be ok?"  "Of course my love. You just busted some stitches and Dr. Whale is fixing that. You'll be fine as long as you don't jump up like that again".  I nod as tears fall.  "Are you in pain Emma?"  Dr. Whale asked me. "Just a little. I'm just a little emotional and half asleep that's why I'm crying".  "It's ok Emma. I'm done now. I'll give you a low dose pain reliever and something to help you sleep ok?"  I nod. "Before you do that Dr. Whale, Emma do you need to use the bathroom?"  I nod. They both help me up but I'm wobbly on my feet. Regina helps me pee. Normally I'd be embarrassed but I just feel so drained because of the pain. She walks me back to the bed and helped me in. Dr. Whale gives me the medication and said he'd see me tomorrow to check on me. Regina walks him out and rushes back to my side. "Emma are you ok?"  I shrug and nod at the same time as I start crying again. Why the hell to I keep crying?  "You'll be fine my love. You go back to sleep ok?"  I nod again. She shuts off the light on the nightstand and starts to leave. "No Gina. Please don't leave me".  "It's ok. I'm just in the next room".  "No please stay with me. Hold me please".  "Ok sweetheart. I will. She walks to the other side of the bed and gets under the covers. I quickly roll into her embrace and she holds me tight and kisses my head. "Your ok Emma. I'm right here baby".   "I love you Gina".  "I love you too Emma. Good night my love". After that I fell asleep.