Already There

AU. When Emma has a nightmare one night and runs to her parents chambers. Just a nice and sweet Charmings One shot.

A/N: inspired by "I'm Already there" By Lonestar.

The images in her head made her gasp for air and she wasn't even able to scream. She just opened her eyes and scanned the room for any sign of an intruder. She clutched on her baby blanket and waited.

A couple minutes passed and she was still afraid, after all she was only five years old and she had just had a horrible nightmare. She climbed down her huge bed and tip toed out of her room. Knights and other people wondered the castle after hours so there were dim lights all over the hallways and entrances to other rooms. She made her way carefully down the stairs, being careful of not getting caught or the servants would alert her parents. Still clutching her blanket in one hand she had almost reached her parent's chambers.

"Why little princess…" A knight with a warm voice said behind her. Emma stayed put just a few doors away from her destination "Why are you here passed your bedtime?" Emma sucked her free thumb and smiled a little bit "Should we call your parents then?" Gilbert picked her up proceeded to knock on the door.

"Yes?" Snow opened the door a moment later. She had just been awoken as it was clear she was barely awake, but at the sign of her daughter, exhaustion vanished "Emma?"

"I am sorry to bother you Your Highness" Gilbert bowed "But I did find the little princess wondering around and assumed I should bring her to you at once, I am sorry about disturbing you" Snow smiled sweetly at him.

"Nonsense" Snow said taking Emma from him "I have to be grateful for bringing her to me" The knight smiled and bowed once again "Thank you"

"You are very welcome you're Highness, now that I know she is safe, I must resume with my responsibilities, or is there something else you need?" Emma looked up at Snow.

"No thank you" Snow bowed thankfully "You may go now"

"As you wish" Gilbert smiled and then bowed again "Good night"

"James?" Snow shoved her husband's arm a bit "Charming, wake up" Emma had now left Snow's arms and sat next to James touching his cheek so he would open his eyes. And he did. Slowly at first. The mere sight of Emma made him lift his head and the little girl gave him a smile "It seems we have a little intruder tonight"

"That I see" James mumbled. He touched Emma's nose making her giggle. She positioned herself between her parents. "And to what do we owe this little invasion?"

"I had a bad dream" Emma told him sucking her thumb again. Both James and Snow were on their side resting their heads on their hands so they could face Emma. Green met blue "I am sorry daddy" James smiled sweetly.

"Why are you apologizing for?" James kissed her forehead "You must never apologize for needing us, you understand that Emma?" the little girl nodded and moved closer to her father while Snow played with her hair "We will always be here for you"

"Okay" Emma said innocently. Snow and James shared a look as they both marveled on how beautiful their little girl was.

"And you wouldn't imagine how she got here" Snow told her husband jokingly "Almost waking up everyone" James ceased an eyebrow at his daughter and she blushed "Gilbert brought her"

"Did he now?" James smiled "You better say thank you"

"I always do" Emma said drowsily "Cause I am a princess and princesses always say thank you, right mommy?"

"That's right sweetheart" Snow smiled. Emma's eyes began to fall and Snow pulled her closer to her body. "Sleep now little angel"

"Good night my sweet girl" James rubbed Emma's back smoothly and she closed her eyes finally giving up to exhaustion.

A moment later Emma was soundly asleep.

"Wonder what that nightmare was about?" Snow asked her husband worriedly "Thomas better not be filling her head with all of those scary stories about, lord knows what or I will seriously hit him!" she hissed and he chuckled slightly.

"That" James leaned to kiss her lips "I would love to see" Snow rolled her eyes "We should make it an event, like the crusades, you hitting Thomas" Emma stirred a bit clearly disturbed and James covered his mouth automatically.

"You mock me now Charming" Snow said "And Thomas won't be the only to be sorry" James flashed her, his best smile.

"I love you" He said a moment later. Snow smiled as she rested her head on the pillow.

"I love you too" Snow said running her free hand over his cheek "Even if you don't take me seriously"

"Hey! Now I am hurt!" James hissed "There is not one person who I take more seriously into account than you" Snow smirked at his assessment.

"Very good answer" she kissed him tenderly on the lips "I don't call you Charming for nothing"

THE END

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