Whirlwind of trouble

10

"Good morning" Emma grins, and that only confuses me because she's normally the one with the weight of the world on her shoulders, full of anger and hate, but this emma in front of me is ... smiling.

"Good morning Emma" I smile back, blushing slightly and hate myself for not knowing why.

"That must be Elena. The girl you saved... twice" Emma observes Elena playing with Lola on the grass, watching them roll around between all the daisies as we both stare in awe. "She's beautiful, and she looks like you, she would definitely pass as you're daughter"

"I truly wish she was. She's amazing and deserves better than the life god gave her" I frown, but were quickly being called by Dr.Hopper.

I thought being here would be difficult for Elena. I thought in the lead up to this meeting, she was so wanting to come and share her past but I truly thought that once she would come to this place, she would hurt, and ache, and want to shut the world away and never say a word of the heartache she is experiencing.

But it appears Elena is much stronger than me.

She was the first the raise her hand awkwardly and sinks in her seat as all eyes peer upon her. She slowly looks up to me and I soothe her softly, rubbing her back and rubbing my fingers through her hair whispering that everything will be okay.

She gulps down her emotions and proceeds. "Hi I'm Elena" she states barely audible to everyone, but everyone smiles softly and gives her enough courage to continue. "I was in the same accident as Regina, but I'm not really here to talk about that today if that's ok?"

"Absolutely we want you to feel comfortable, Elena what is it you would like to share with everyone this morning?" Dr hopper softly coos.

Elena peers up to me and takes a deep shaky breath before she turns to everyone else; but I'm so confused about what it is she has to share if not losing her mother and father at the same time in such a traumatic incident.

"I've been passed around many different countries, many different care homes and many different foster families. But none of them have been good so far, apart from the one I'm in now" Elena looks up at me with a soft smile. "Regina saved me, not only from the bank robbery, but from an abusive foster home, but that wasn't even the worst one. So now that I'm in a good foster home, where I know I will be cared for, fed well, where I will have the best nights sleep, and the best days and the best education, I have the need to be honest." She gulps. "I've been beaten black and blue by my first foster mother. I've run away from 5 different homes and I've been raped by a foster dad at the age of 7" a single tear trickles down her cheek and I'm quick to catch her falling tears despite my own making a puddle at my feet. "I guess I just want to start off in this foster home it's honesty, because I know with you regina I'm safe. I know you're fostering me for the good in you and not for the cheque or money, and I know I don't open up or trust easily but I hope with you I can" Elena states and immediately I tug her into my chest and I just want to give her everything.

"I am so sorry you have gone through all of that, and I am so sorry I couldn't help you sooner" I whisper and place a tender kiss upon her forehead and watch as she flinches from the sentimental touch, yet her shoulders soon sink with comfort and she weeps into my chest as I hold her.

"Thank you for sharing Elena, I think your next step is to try and trust Regina and recognise that you can find happiness" Dr Hopper smiles sweetly at Elena and she nods softly. "Okay, Emma... would you care to share today?"

My glossy eyes peer over to Emma who very quickly rushes to wipe away the tears clinging to her perfect hazel eyes. She shuffles in her seat anxiously and takes a deep breath. Emma hasn't shared in the meeting at all yet, other than giving simple advice to some of her peers.