Diamond in the rough
Summary: She was always there, just waiting to be uncovered. Time was all it took for Emma Swan to shine.
Short glimpses of Emma's life, from birth to Neverland, and how she became the woman she is.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Really, I don't. Not even the time it's going to take for me to write this.
A/N: This sprung up on me as I was thinking of swan ice sculptures (yeah, I'm not sure how my brain functions either). Not really sure where this is going, but hey, it's about the journey, isn't it? ;)
1.
"Find us."
Charming caressed his daughter's loose blond curls, his shaking fingers skimming the spot he had kissed seconds ago. Seconds. That was all he had before Regina's black knights found him again. His throbbing shoulder protested at the thought of picking up a sword, and he forced himself to steady his heartbeat with deep breaths, as his lungs screamed in pain.
Seconds. That was all he had with his daughter, before she was whisked off to a foreign land. Alone. His gut clenched. She'll find us. She will.
He could not take his eyes off her. Their miracle. Their Emma. She would rescue the land, they said. She would be their savior. But I don't want a savior - I want my daughter.
Squeezing his eyes shut as they started to burn, he pressed his lips against Emma's forehead for a second - and last- time. I'm so sorry.
In seconds, he would have to tear himself away from her, shut those wooden doors and fight for his daughter - for her safety, for her freedom, for her life. And he would gladly give up his, if that was what it took. He would protect her, come hell, high water, or Regina's wretched minions who really had no idea who they were up against.
Make these seconds count, Charming. "We won't get to see you grow up, Emma." His voice was low, his breath came out in short puffs, but he kept going on. He needed to say it, because she needed to hear it, if only once. Even if she could not understand a word. "We'll miss your first steps, your first real laugh, your first words. There were so many wonderful things we wanted to- "
The knot that had formed in his chest tightened unbearably, and he had to pause. Just a second. "You'll be a formidable woman, Emma. Now, I don't know when, or how- but one day, you'll take all the realms by storm, and you'll find a way back to us. And we'll be so, so proud. We already are."
A loud crash followed by raucous shouts caught his attention, and his heart rate quickened. He cast his daughter one last look, committing her tiny, precious form to memory. I love you, Emma. Be safe.
With a soft click, he locked the wardrobe doors. He pulled himself up, hissing as a bolt of pain shot through his shoulder. The voices were getting closer. I'm not going to last very long, am I? He grimaced at the thought, but tightened his grip on his sword.
As the first knight burst into the room, Charming spun around, weapon raised. No, he would not last long, but it would be enough.