Once

by i-effed-it-all-up

Based on the song by Brad Caleb Kayne. Try as she might, Regina can't stifle everything inside the residents of Storybrooke. Each of them feels there's something they're missing, a part of them, from a past life of some kind... A series of short oneshots revolving around specific characters. Chapter 1: Emma. Chapter 2: David.

1. I Was Somebody's Child

ONCE

Chapter 1

I Was Somebody's Child

Emma Swan has no parents.

It is a fact she has been aware of since she was tiny. She has no parents and she is alone. Sometimes it hurts to think about, so she just….. doesn't think about it.

It wasn't so easy when she was younger. Foster care…. It was a constant reminder of her lack of family. She used to sit up at night, imagining what her parents would be like as she hid from her assorted foster "parents," who were all less than loving. More times than not, her missing parents manifested themselves in her brain as a grand princess and prince, despairing for eternity over the loss of their baby girl.

But she doesn't remember that now.

As she rifles through her drawer for her favorite pajama shirt, her hand grazes something soft. Her baby blanket. The one with her name in embroidered purple. She doesn't think she'll ever get rid of it. It's a good reminder. A reminder of-

"Emma?" a soft voice calls from the other room, and Emma is taken suddenly back, back to a time of cooing and gentle touching and soft voices and a warm baby blanket and warmer hands-

"I'm making tea. Would you like some?" Mary Margaret questions from the doorway, and Emma shakes herself. "Sure," she answers softly, tucking the baby blanket back under unfolded clothes. Mary Margaret pauses for a moment, then takes her leave. Emma is left staring at the blanket, trying to go back again. Back to the warmth.

Emma Swan was somebody's child, once.

But not anymore.