Chapter 4 –

Family dinners can be a great connecting point, but they can also be the catalyst to heated arguments.

Emma began to put her things back where they had been. Although she knew David wasn't lying to her, she still wasn't sure how long it would last.

When she had finished she put her suitcase back under her bed and headed down stairs to have dinner hoping that Mary Margret and David would not try and push the matter while they ate.

She saw snow bringing the spaghetti to the table just as she was stepping off the final stair.

"Just in time Emma!" Snow exclaimed as she saw her daughter. "What would you like to drink?"

"I'll just take a glass of water," Emma said to Mary Margret as she took a seat at the table.

David walked over and placed a kiss on the top of her head. He knew Emma wasn't always okay with the displays of affection but he really wanted to let her know that things were going to be different now.

Emma wasn't exactly sure how to react to her Father's affection because even though she truly did love when he did it, she wasn't quite ready for him to know that yet.

Mary Margret sat a glass of water down in front of Emma and they all began to have their first meal as a family. This is something that Emma had always wanted growing up.

Soon David broke the silence, "So we need to contact everyone and set up a town meeting for tomorrow," he said saying it more to snow then to Emma.

"I think that's a great idea. We need to figure out if we are able to cross the town line or if we are stuck here as well as establish some sort of order," Snow said in a no nonsense tone.

"I'm going to call August then and see if he wants to hang out," Emma said in a very nonchalant way hoping that her parents would just let it slide and not question her.

"Actually Emma, your mom and I talked about it and until we know where Regina is we decided that it would be best for you to stay with us," David said slightly nervous not knowing how Emma would react.

"David I'm 15, I can take care of myself!" Emma fought back.

"We understand that Emma but your age has nothing to do with it. We do not know if Regina has her magic back and if she does she is going to come after you. We have to be responsible parents and make sure that nothing happens to you, and for right now that means that we can't let you go off with your friends unless we're there to ensure your safety. We really aren't trying to be mean, we wish we could just let you go off but we can't. Do you understand?" David said placing his hand on Emma's shoulder.

Emma jerked away from her father's touch and crossed her arms.

"Emma, we only want the best for you," Snow said trying to break some of the building tension.

Emma went back to eating her spaghetti because she knew that if she didn't hold her tongue she would definitely make things worse for herself.

"Emma we also need to talk about your little stunt this afternoon. We understand you needed some space but we have talked about this before, if you need space all you have to do is let me know but when you run off like that you make me and your mother worried sick and on top of that we have to give you a punishment which we hate because it all could have been avoided if you would just talk to us," Charming said, knowing that his timing for the conversation really couldn't have gotten worse but he continued on.

"Your mother and I agree that the circumstances of today were very unique and that you have been through enough today that we decided not to punish you. However Emma, this is your last chance. The next time you do this you will be punished, no questions asked. Do you understand?"

Emma looked at David and then at Mary Margret and simply replied, "I understand," and then went back to her dinner.

Mary Margret and David shared a silent conversation feeling that things had actually gone better then they had expected and then they too returned to eating their dinner.

Once Emma was done she got up from the table and put her plate in the sink. She bid David and Mary Margret a good night and headed back up to her room.

However, she had no intention of going to bed, instead she decided that if she couldn't go to see August she would see if August would come to her.

"Hey August, want to come over?"

"Sure, I'll be over in five minutes!" August replied excitedly.

"Okay, but use the window, not the front door," Emma told him.

"The Window?" August replied,

"Yea, I don't think that David and Mary Margret would be too keen on me having friends over so you'll have to sneak in, is that okay?" Emma asked in a challenging tone knowing that August was always up for a new adventure of sorts.

"Alright, you better have something ready for me to climb on though," he said

"I'll be ready! See you in a few!" Emma replied. Now all she had to do was figure out a back up plan in case her parents decided to check on her before they went to bed.