A/N: Just a drabble fic that came to me months ago when I was listening to Girls Aloud's song of this title. I hope you enjoy it. To anyone who is reading Effects of Magic, I do apologise for disappearing and not finishing the story. The last chapter IS coming, but basically for various reasons this drabble is the first thing I've written in probably about a month. Unfortunately I'm not sure when the last chapter will be finished and up, but I promise I WILL finish the story.

The Loving Kind

Emma was restless as she watched him sleeping. She'd been back for four hours now, and though she knew she should leave Henry to his dreams, she couldn't bear the separation. It had taken her all to get back to Storybrooke for him. She marvelled at how quickly the boy had seemed to dominate her every thought and action, but despite the love and devotion for him that coursed through her veins; Emma still doubted her mothering abilities.

Because the thing was, no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't outrun your past. And Emma's past was as dark and chequered as they came. You didn't escape a life of abuse and crime without it leaving its mark on you. Emma knew she'd hardened her heart to hurt after her relationship with Neal had left her broken. Though she loved him, Emma knew she hadn't quite let Henry completely into her heart. After what she'd been through, she just wasn't the loving kind. She didn't think it would come easily. She'd never be one of those parents who fawned over their children, who bought them presents just because they felt like it.

Sometimes she couldn't help wondering if perhaps Henry wouldn't be better off with Regina. From what her father had told her, the woman was trying to turn her life around. Maybe that was the kind of influence Henry needed.

Stroking her fingers through Henry's tussled hair, she knew she'd never be able to give him up, even if it was what was best for him. After just a few short months, he'd become the most important thing in her world. And it was for that reason that, no matter how hard it was or how long it took, Emma would do her damnedest to be the best mother she could be. Someday she'd able to say she was the loving kind.

A/N: Thanks for reading.