Breaking Free

She came to Port Charles to start fresh...but what happens when her worst nightmare follows?

Nurse Ema Madison came to Port Charles to find her childhood friend, Sonny Corinthos. She needed his help - she was trying to escape an abusive relationship with a man named Tyler. She managed to speak with Sonny and he agreed that he would help her. Sonny then got caught up in his own problems and found that he couldn't help Ema right away. Vowing to speak with her when he came back, Sonny went on a trip leaving Ema in Port Charles. Little did he know that Tyler had already made his way to Port Charles and was hunting Ema down.

Ema was out when she ran into a man named Ken Johnson, a fellow newcommer to Port Charles. He was a man who always was looking for his next victim - he conned people into giving him money. He and Ema started up a conversation over a game of pool and he soon realized that he was not going to get anything out of her. But he liked her. He even found himself calling her by a nickname "Preggers", something that took some getting used to on Ema's part. Later she went back to her apartment, and got a knock on the door. Expecting Ken, she was horrified to open it up to find Tyler. The two argued with Tyler grabbing her on a few occasions. She then revealed to him that she was pregnant. Ken managed to get in and square off with Tyler. Ema ran back to a safe house where she was joined by Ken later. The two got even closer.

Ema was stressing out over what was going to happen with the entire situation. While cooking for Ken, she cut herself and then had to leave to get some fresh air. On the docks, she began to cry wondering what she was going to do. Tyler found her there and again asserted that they would be together. He wanted to claim his child and keep Ken as far away from the two of them as he could. Ema taunted him with thoughts of Ken being the father and he lost it, grabbing the mother of his unborn child. Ema began to fit back, cutting his cheek. She pushed Tyler to the brink of losing his control and he shoved her against a wall, choking her until she passed out. Through his anger, he sensed that he had done wrong and quickly took Ema to the hospital.

While Ema was being treated, Tyler had a chance to make up a plausible story for the nurses and doctors. She was attacked and he had saved her. The nurse mistook her for Ema's husband and this allowed him to gain access to her. When she awoke he was waiting...saying that it had been her fault he attacked her. She pushed him too far. They argued about the baby, and Tyler insisted that he would be part of the baby's life. Ema told him otherwise and he promised that he would make it so. Ema made her way down to the nursery to visit the babies there and he followed. As soon as he saw the tiny miracles, Tyler knew he was meant to be a father. Even if he couldn't be with Ema, he would be with his child. He left to go talk to the lawyers. Meanwhile, Ken showed up and found out what had happened. He comforted Ema and then took her home.

Now at home, the pair got caught in the storm that took over Port Charles. Together, Ken and Ema made plans to raise the baby together. Ema told Ken that it did not matter what biology said. He was the father. She told him that she was sure the baby was a girl and they both felt the baby move for the first time. They professed their love for one another and prepared to make love for the first time when a knock came to the door. It was Tyler...and he was drunk and over the edge. He had talked to his lawyer and found that his chances of getting custody were not good. He had decided that if he couldn't have the baby then neither could Ema. She provoked him yet again by repeatedly calling Ken the father of the baby. He pulled out a gun prepared to shoot when Ema kicked him, enabling Ken to grab the gun. Tyler lunged at Ema, knocking them both on the floor. Ema could no longer feel the baby move.

Ema soon realized that she was having contractions...not a good sign so early in her pregnancy. Ken raced her to General Hospital where Steven Webber tried his best to stop the contractions. He soon realized that nothing could be done but to deliver the baby. He knew that the baby was going to be very premature and therefore need a lot of help and prayers. Ema soon delivered a baby girl who she named Ella Sunny. The baby was taken to the ICU and placed on various machines to help increase her chances. Ema was distraught and things were only going to get worse.

The police showed up having found Tyler's body in Ken's apartment. He was arrested and taken down to the station. Ema followed but Ken told her to stay by Ella's side. He was more than prepared to take the wrap for this. He wanted to make sure that Ella and Ema stayed together. Ema decided to call a lawyer and contacted Justus Ward. He promised to meet her as soon as possible but having just come back from his harrowing ordeal with Santiago, he needed a chance to settle in. Until then, Ema decided to stay by Ella's side and unfortunately, Ken had to stay in his cell.

Sonny got a message on his phone from his friend Ema outlining what had happened. He was shocked and called her back. She asked him to come visit and he said he would. He made it there to meet little Ella. He was honored to be her godfather. Sonny promised to help Ema anyway he could and she said that if he could help her get Ken out of jail that would be enough. Justus finally showed up and the three of them talked about the case. Ema explained how she had shot Tyler when he was attacking her. Sonny pointed out that it was self defense and Ema finally broke down and explained exactly what Tyler had done to her over the years. Justus said he shouldn't have a problem getting Ken off. Both men left, with Sonny going to visit Ken.

Sonny's next stop was the PCPD. He asked to see Ken and the two meet for the first time in the interrogation room. At first, both men played it nice. They pretended to be civil - with Sonny asking him how he was and Ken answering politely. But it soon became apparent why Sonny was there. He told Ken flat out that he better not hurt Ema- or else! He planned to do a thorough background check on Mr. Johnson. Ken wasn't intimidated by Sonny's tough guy act. He loved Ema and Ella and they were going to be a family.

At the hospital, Ema was getting more bad news. Ella had a whole in her heart. The doctors thought that this might correct itself given time. But Dr. Miller wanted to prepare Ema for the possibility of surgery. Overwhelmed, Ema left the hospital to go visit Ken. The two had a tearful reunion through jail cell bars. Ema then told Ken that she was going to confess to Tyler's murder. However, the step wasn't necessary. Justus managed to convince a judge that the act was truly self defense and both Ema and Ken were set free. This allowed them to return to Ella's bedside.

However, the news was not good. Dr. Tom Miller had the heartbreaking task of telling Ken and Ema that Ella's heart would not get better. In fact it would only get worse and without a transplant she would die. Their ultimate fears were coming to life. Ema was upset, believing that after Ella died, Ken would leave her. Fate was about to play a cruel twist - Tyler's brother Trey came to visit bringing his wife and daughter. He was nothing like his violent brother. His wife and daughter ended up in a car accident and Trey had to face the news - his daughter was brain dead.

Immediately it was realized that Trey's daughter's heart could save Ella. Not wanting to pressure but realizing that time was running out, both Ken and Ema talked to Trey and he finally realized it was the right thing to do. Together Tom and Steven performed the surgery and everyone was realized when it was a success. Ella was going to make it! Overjoyed, Ken asked Ema to marry him. They were getting ready to be a family!

With the news of Ella's good health, Ema turned to help the man who had saved her daughter's life - Trey. She wanted to help Trey set up the funeral for his family. He seemed willingly to help her if only to get close to her and Ella. Ken's ex Katie also was plotting to get Ken back. She enlisted Trey's help. Ken turned Katie down and left town. That left Ema with Trey. The two of them went the boat party. When it exploded, Ema was injuried and Trey spent the next few days by her bedside. Meanwhile Ken returned - a Cassadine?