Buried Treasure

Chapter Four:Just a Tad Transparent

Emma was sitting on the couch with Snow, David and Henry surrounding her. There was a pile of gifts by her legs as a present sat in her lap.

"That's not the real present. You can tear it apart," Henry said.

Emma didn't want to tear it apart. Aside from a keychain, the gift she held in her hands was the first she ever received. It was wrapped in golden paper with a big silver bow tied around it.

With a soft voice, Snow called her daughter's name. Emma blinked her eyes to her mother.

"Don't you want to open your present?" Snow asked through a smile.

"Oh, right, yeah," Emma said while nodding. She put tentative fingers to the big sparkly bow, carefully undoing the neatly tied knot.

"Mom," Henry whined impatiently. "I wanna see what you got!"

"Let the girl take her time," Granny waved off.

Emma focused on the gift in her lap. She pulled the bow loose and was suddenly aware of the silence in the room.

"You guys, can, you know, talk."

It was a rare occasion; Emma's feelings were written across her face, for everyone to see. Her friends could tell she was uncomfortable with the situation. This was new for her. So everyone jumped into conversation, their eyes diverting away from the birthday girl.

Emma frowned. "Is it that obvious?"

"Guess your walls are down," Snow started with a grin on her face. "Or at least lowered a few inches."

"I feel like I'm the main attraction at the circus."

"I can open it for you if that will make you feel better," Henry offered.

Emma nodded while handing the present over to her son. She held back a cringe as Henry dove right in, quickly unveiling a white box with the local clothing boutique's logo stamped across it. With her brows furrowed in curiosity, she watched Henry pull open the lid. A frown took the boy's face.

"Clothes," Henry droned while giving the box back to his mom.

Emma pulled the blue top from the wrapping paper and held it up to find a knit v-neck sweater; the fabric would hug her skin.

"Do you like it?" Snow asked.

Emma nodded while holding the sweater to her body to get a good look.

"It'll look great on you!" Red called from across the room.

"Thank!" Emma said with a smile.

Red wormed her way through the crowd and ran up to Emma to give her a big hug. "This might be weird for you to hear, but I'm your Godmother. Or, well, I was supposed to be. Thought your birthday would be a good time to tell you," she finished with her lips curved to a grin.

Emma's face fell. "Just when I thought things couldn't get any weirder."

"It's true," Snow agreed. "It was planned before you were born, when I found out I would one day have a child. Red and I were best friends, like sisters. I couldn't think of anyone better to ask."

With a big smile, Red reached for Snow's hand.

"So your parents are Snow White and Prince Charming, and now Red Riding Hood is your Godmother? This is so cool!" Henry exclaimed.

Red ruffled Henry's hair before giving Emma another hug and heading for the kitchen for more coffee.

"You really are the coolest mom in the world. Besides you, grams," Henry covered quickly.

"Nice save, kid," Emma said.

"I need more chocolate milk," Henry said while hopping from his stool and darting to the bathroom.

"That little boy is crazy over you."

"Crazy over the savior. I just happen to be her."

With a frown, Snow said, "you know that's not true."

"Yeah, yeah," Emma agreed. "I've got a lot to thank him for. All this fairytale stuff… he never quit believing. He was so sure of it that he ate a poisoned pie to prove it to me."

"That's what family does. They push you until you start moving in the right direction."

"He's one stubborn kid," Emma said.

"Wonder where he gets that from."

"Yeah, well, wonder where I get it from."

"I've got absolutely no idea."

Emma rolled her eyes at Snow's smirk.

XOX

A half hour and nearly all the presents had been opened. Emma knew there was something from her parents, something she would have to open later, something that made her a bit nervous. What the hell could it be?

Emma received clothes, some decorative items for her room and a Polaroid camera. The device was old school, but so was Storybrooke.

"This one's from me and dad," Henry said with a smile.

Emma accepted the gift, though she felt weary. But she made sure to mask her apprehension… Neal. A decade gone and he decides to give her a birthday present?

"I really hope you like it," Henry said.

Emma looked to her son as she pulled the wrapping from the box. "Of course I will."

Henry's smile grew.

Underneath the paper, Emma found a cardboard box. With her forehead wrinkled in curiosity, she pulled the box open. Her eyes widened at the sight of a dream catcher. A large dream catcher colored in different shades of a blue and white. Feathers and beads hung from the strings. The netting was made of intricate designs; patterns that made Emma awe.

"You seemed to like the one at dad's place, so I thought you'd want your own. It'll catch your bad dreams. And memories too, right? You can use your magic to see your dreams. I hate when I have a really good dream and I can't remember everything. This way you won't forget."

"Thanks, kid," Emma said with a smile.

"So you like it?"

Emma nodded enthusiastically.

Henry leaned over in his seat to put his arm around his mom.

"What do you say you go hang it up for me?"

Henry nodded in agreement while hopping from his chair.

"I can hang it on that thing that holds the blinds over the window, the one by your bed."

"Sounds perfect."

With that, Henry hurried upstairs.

"I still amazes me sometimes."

"What does?"

"My daughter has magic," Snow said with a proud smile.

"Yeah, who woulda thought."

"My daughter… the savior…" Snow awed.

"You're not gonna get emotional, are you?" Emma asked through a cringe. "I think we'd have enough of that all day."

Snow shook her head. "You're right. So, are you having a good time?"

"Yes, but you guys didn't have to do this."

"We wanted too."

"Whose ready for cake!" Leroy shouted. "I want cake!"

"Saved by the desert," Emma murmured.

With a wicked grin, Snow got to her feet. "I'll light the candles!"

TBC

The big moment is coming up next! Hope you enjoyed! Thoughts before you go?