Trusting In You

chapter sixteen

Emma's POV

"What's wrong?!" I ask rushing into Granny's. Ruby called me frantic about Regina and I was so close to have a heart attack. I mean what the hell happened to her?

"That guy, he uh... I'm pretty sure he was raping her outside."

"What?! Where is she?" I look around.

"She's out back on the floor. She hasn't moved. She just keeps whispering Emma. That she needs you." I nod.

"Thanks for calling me. Watch him for a few minutes, please." I run outside and I wrap my arms around her. Oh my poor baby.

"Come here. Don't cry my love." She sobs in my arms.

"He- he."

"I know. I know. Ruby told me. It's gonna be okay. You're okay now. I'm here now. I'm here Regina, right here and nothing is going to happen to you."

"I ruined your day out with Henry. I'm so sorry Em-"

"Don't. No it's okay. It was fine. We were just gonna watch movies after our nails got done. We were done honey. It's okay. I'm here for you. And none of that matters right now. I just need you to be okay." She holds me tight like she's afraid to let go. Her hands gripping my shirt like I'm the only thing keeping her from breaking down.

I get Regina home after picking her up and putting her into the car. Henry is so worried. Mommy won't talk and she looks like she's-I don't even know.

"What wong wif mommy?" He asks.

"She's just really tired kid. She's okay. So when we get home. We gotta let mommy get some sleep. She's had a really long day bud." He stays quiet. We get to the house and I put Henry to sleep first. I pull the couch out and lay him down comfortably. I pick Regina up and go to her room. I set her down. Then I sit on my knees and don't touch her. I don't want to trigger her or anything.

"Honey?" She doesn't look at me.

"You're not going to work. Okay?" She looks at me and it breaks my heart seeing the emptiness in her eyes.

"I'm not going to work either. Do you want to shower?" She just looks at me.

"You need to." She shakes her head.

"How about in the morning?" She nods. I frown.

"Want some grapes?" She shakes her head.

"Why won't you speak to me sweet heart? I just want to help you."

"Why does it matter? People will do anything, even if I say no. Even if I say stop it doesn't matter my voice doesn't matter. It doesn't matter." I wipe her eyes.

"Oh Regina.... If I could take the pain away. I would. If I could take all the pain you feel instead, you know without a second thought I would do it. But your voice matters to me. If you don't want something, then you tell me honey. I won't do it. I don't want to do anything without your consent. Without you wanting me to. Okay?" She nods and pulls me closer. I set my hand on her back softly. She tenses but then relaxes. It breaks my heart.

"How about you change into some pajamas. And then I'll change too. You need some rest and once you're asleep, i'll join Henry on the couch. Is that okay?"

"Why? You don't want to sleep next to me now?" She asks.

"Mo that's not the case. Of course I want to. I just figured we would sleep there. You get the bed."

"But why?"

"Maybe you don't want me touching you right now."

"I want you to. I want you to touch me everywhere he put his filthy, dirty, unwanted, disgusting hands so I don't think of him ever again."