I just wanted to thank everyone who read this story, followed, favorited, and reviewed it, it means a lot!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Once Upon a Time.

~{OUAT}

13 years later

She sat in the dark alley, staring down at a broken shard of glass, inspecting herself. Her face was smudged with dirt, blonde hair ratting as it swung down her shoulders, lips cracked and blooded, and she wore a tattered old white dress, which was dulling due to its use. A brown cloak was draped over her shoulders with only a few holes covering it, and a silver swan pendent hung from her neck. She patted her thin stomach and sighed, this was just another day in the life of Emma Swan.

A brown cloth bag laid by her side, and she picked it up as she stood and strode out of the alley, her feet ached as she did so. A grumbling sound came from her stomach, and the dull pain of hunger became sharper. Emma needed food, she was starving. Luckily she had piece of bread tucked away in her satchel, and it was calling her name. She sighed, it wasn't much of a birthday cake, but it will do.

As she munched on the bread, she pulled out the wool blanket that had her name embroidered on it. A tear slipped through her eyes, 13 years later and she was still alone, she really wished she wasn't. Don't get your hopes up Emma thought to herself. She stared longingly at the blanket, she wondered who her parents were all the time, but the question she asked most was, why did they leave her all alone? She ogled the blanket, and didn't realize she was about to run into someone. As soon as they made contact, Emma stumbled back only to be caught by strong hands. A man stood before her, he had sandy colored hair, light blue eyes, and wore a brown leather jacket and black trousers, with a sword hanging on his side.

"I am so sorry." The man said, feeling guilty for his slightly tipsy mistake.

"I-It's okay, it was uh, my fault." Emma stammered. This man felt oddly familiar, like they've met before.

"No, it was my mista-" The man stopped mid-sentence, when his eyes landed on the blanket in her hands.

"Where did you get that?" He pointed to it, sounding a little breathless. Emma backed up a bit, now a little wary of the man before her.

"Um, uh… I've had it sense I was a babe." Okay, Emma time to go she told herself.

"I-I'm, g-going to go now." She started walking away, hoping that he would just leave her alone, and go about his own business. But that was denied, when the man called for her to stop.

"I think we know each other." The man said bending his knees slightly so her could be at eyes level. Emma sucked in a sharp breath, panic setting in. They did know each other, But how? She doesn't remember him; he just feels familiar. She shook her head violently.

"Your name is Emma." Her eyes widened. "You are 13 years old." He continued. Calm down Emma, Don't let him see your panic. "And today is your birthday." The man finished. The voice in her head telling her to run got louder and louder. But the strange thing was that her gut was telling her to stay, to trust him. She always followed her gut. "Am I right?" He asked, his eyes filled with hope.

"How?" Was all Emma could say. Her heart was beating a million miles an hour. He smiled brightly, and to Emma's surprise, he hugged her. Her arms dangled awkwardly to her side. The racing heart in her chest slowed, and her panic was dulled. The hug felt… nice.

"I found you." The man whispered in her ear. Found me? Why was he looking for me? Emma thought. So he wasn't going to hurt her, but the question was, who was she to him? The hug lasted awhile. Emma wanted to cry, no one hugs her like this. Strangely enough she can trust this man, but no one has ever cared about her. Why does he?

When the hug finally ended, he cupped her face and smiled at her lovingly. Emma stomach fluttered. This stranger knew her and cared about her, maybe she didn't have to be alone after all.

"How do you know me?" Emma asked, curious to who she was to him.

He opened and shut his mouth, like he was wondering if it was a good idea to tell her he truth. "You… you are um," He shucked in deep breath and pushed it pack out. "You are my daughter. That's how I know you." Emma's pulse quickened again, this man, this complete stranger was her father! How was that possible?

"I know it's a lot to take in, but I would really love to get to know you. So would your mother… she misses you, a lot." So she did have a mother… and she missed her.

"Would You like to go home with me, Emma?" David asked with some much hope in his eyes, that Emma couldn't say no. Or maybe she could? This was so complicated, she always wanted a family, and now she found her family, and she didn't know what to do! Everything in her body was telling her yes, go with him be happy, but what if he leaves, what he goes and it ends badly.

As though he read her thoughts he said, "I won't hurt you." Oh god, she had to go, she just had to.

"Okay." Emma said reluctantly. A flash of emotions flickered in his eyes, and he grinned widely. He lifted her up and embraced her, cradling her head as he did so. To Emma this was strange, it could take some getting used to. But maybe she'll get there, and be happy. She at least had to try. If her heart gets broken she'll regret it, but if it doesn't maybe for once in her life she can feel joy.

~{OUAT}~

Emma thought she couldn't be more surprised today, but oh was she wrong. Her father, David he said his name was, told her of whom he and her mother were, and turns out there are Queen Snow and King Charming of Misthaven. Emma was a princess, a Gods forsaken princess!

Emma had so many questions, but he one she found herself asking was one she been asking for years, "Why did you leave me?". That question sparked so much pity, guilt, and sadness in his eyes, she could see it as he told her the story of how The Evil Queen took her away from them. He said the tried everything they could, going to the fairy's, good and bad, searched themselves, even visited the feared Rumplestiltskin. David told her that he was sorry, Emma believed him, but he doesn't know what she went through, all the horrible things she had to deal with. She needed time, and she could see that he would give that to her, Emma was extremely grateful for that.

~{OUAT}~

David felt many emotions, happiness, relief, guilt. His baby girl, his only daughter, has had so much pain in her life, and he can see all that pain, and it's his fault. He should've tried harder. A few months ago he gave up and lost all hope, he never should have. Every bone in his body wished she didn't have to endure that. He would have been ten times happier if she ended up in another home with a good family, even if that meant she could never be a part of his.

He looked over at Emma, she was staring at him, but she quickly looked away when his eyes meet hers. They were a forest green, just like her mothers. She had Snow's cheek bones, and his blonde hair. She was beautiful. He finally found her his Daughter, he couldn't believe it, it seemed impossible just months ago. Snow would be over the moon, just as he was. Emma was another story though, David couldn't feel what she felt, she could feel something entirely different than him.

As the castle came into few, he heard a small intake of air from Emma. She stared at the castle wide-eyed, mouth hanging slightly open. David smiled at his daughter's reaction to his, well now her home. This would be a lot for her to take in, and to get comfortable with. She needed time, and his was glad to give it to her.

~{OUAT}~

Snow stared blankly out the balcony, today is a sad day, it is the anniversary of Emma's birth and disappearance. The whole town felt sorrow toward the lost princess, but none felt the pure sadness she did. Emma was her daughter, and she knew her for all of 30 seconds. For only 30 seconds she felt the things a mother should feel for her whole life… but she only got just a moment.

She broke into a silent sob. How could she let this happen? Emma was gone forever, never to be seen again, all because Regina took her away. Because of Regina Snow never got to see Emma's first step, first word, first smile, she missed everything. Although Regina took Emma away, Snow often blames herself, mostly because she was the one who told Regina's secret, the one the killed her love. That would haunt her every day.

Snow drowned her sorrows looking out at the horizon, filled with the forest, birds flapping away, and the sun gleaming over everything, and taking time to herself every year on this date, and Charming would drown his sorrows at the tavern. Charming and her have grown apart over the last 13 years, both blaming themselves for what happened, and they didn't want to make each other's grieving any harder. Charming and her try to be at least a little bit happy, but it never works.

A loud sound of a door opening echoed behind her. Snow turned to see one of the guards standing in the door frame.

"Your majesty, your husband has returned, and with a grand surprise!" The guard smiled. Snow sighed, she need time to herself right now, the surprise could wait.

"Tell him I'll see to it later." Snow turned away and looked back at the forest of green trees out in the distance.

"Milady…" Snow turned to the guard, letting out an exasperated groan. She glared at him, but stopped when she saw how his eyes lit up. No one who lives in this castle's eyes light up on this day, it must be important. "You want to see this."

~{OUAT]~

The castle was ginormous; Emma could barely keep her moth from hanging open as she gawked at it all. The brick hallway floors were covered by red velvet carpets, the windows stained magnificent colors, and the wall had things such as swords, shields with the royal crest painted on them, torches, and a few portraits, decorated upon them. It was absolutely amazing, but also quite new, and a big difference from the peasant life she lived in.

This is what her life was to be like, living in this grand palace, going to balls, having loving parents. That last part was really the only thing that Emma ever wanted, she didn't need anything fancy, just people who love her. She finally found those people who will love her like she's always wanted, but it was just a lot to take in, in just one day. Emma needed to take things slow, very slow. She hoped her…her parents will understand that, understand that she needs it that way, so she could come to terms with all of this.

A clacking of heels from the stair way interrupted Emma from her thoughts. A petite women divulged from the stair well. She was wearing flowing light blue dress, the lace sleeves were cut off at her elbows, flower patterns excavated at the bottom of the gown, and had white heels sticking slightly out from under it. The woman had thick raven hair that hung lose down her shoulders, with a braid wrapping around the back of her head. Her eyes were forest green, and she had a pale completion just like snow.

"Charming…" The woman looked curiously at her husband, with furrowed brows. "Who is this?" She asked before polity smiling at Emma. David flashed a huge giddy smile at Emma, then to the woman. Emma watched as David ran to the woman and wrapped his arms around her and swung in a circle. The woman giggled. Once the two's hug was over David cleared his throat and looked over at Emma. Emma was just staring at the woman, shock covering her features. Judging by David and her greetings to each other this lady was her mother. Emma never though she would she the day were her family was right in front of her.

"This is Snow." David Said motioning his hand to the woman. "And Snow this…this is Emma. Our Emma." Snow's jaw dropped, disbelief play across her face. David smiled brightly at his Wife, and nodded his head. Snow covered her mouth with her hand, tears had started forming in her eyes. She rushed over to Emma and Embraced her. Emma hesitantly returned the hug. Snow was crying furiously, Emma could see that as snow cupped her face in her hands, smiling lovingly. Emma gave her strained smile in return. Snow quickly turned to David.

"How did you find her?" Snow asked still cupping Emma's face.

"We ran into each other on the streets and I… I saw her Blanket; from that moment I knew it was her." David retold the shortened story, with so much love and joy it made Emma lips twitch. Snow turned back to Emma.

"I finally got you back… and I'm never letting you go again." Snow embraced her daughter again. Emma stared over her mother's shoulder, thinking harsh thoughts. Things like, maybe if you never let me go in the first place then you wouldn't have had to search for thirteen years, and I wouldn't have had to live a brutal loveless life. Emma of course regretted thinking them, she knew they didn't want this to happen, they wanted to be a family as much as she did. But things are complicated now, being a family was going to be ten times harder, for Emma at least. With all of her scares emotionally and physically, Emma was going to have a real challenge opening herself up to these people, her family.

David and Snow showed Emma around the castle, explaining what the rooms were used for. They showed her the bedrooms, all 10 of them, the kitchen, dining room, fencing room, etcetera. But there was one room that struck a chord in all of them. It was a nursery, it had colorful walls, a balcony, toys strung out on shelfs, and a beautiful crib laid in the center. Everything was covered in cobwebs. This was supposed to her room, her toys, her balcony, her life. Emma couldn't take it anymore. She walked out of the room trying very hard to control her crying. Snow and David apologized profusely. Emma said it was alright, but it wasn't. This was going to be a happy place but then bad things happened and it never got to be hers.

After a very long day Emma retired to a guest room that was now hers. It was big, it had a king sized bed with spiral decorated blue-grey sheets. The walls were a gold color and huge windows covered the wall. The room had a small balcony but it had an amazing view of the lake. Water always calmed her. It was no ocean but it was still calming. She really needed to clear her head after today, and this was a way to do it.

Emma sighed into the view and the fresh breeze, tomorrow was going to be another day, a long one at that, but she will be ready and if she isn't she'll make through. Emma Swan is a brave young woman who will make it through this and come out happy. She has hope that thing will be okay. This was her family, a complicated one, but a family none the less. And Emma Swan will be damned if she doesn't take wish she's wanted her whole life. She won't have to be alone.

~{OUAT}~

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