Chapter 4- Fragments and Family

Mary-Margaret had had the perfect day. Granted she had to make a seriously grovelling phone call to her previous employer at the school but, she had her job back. She had reluctantly parted from David and Emma so that she could make the apartment look tidy and shower. The cold water hit her coarse hair hard and rapidly jolting her body and yet rewarding it as it heated up. The more she thought of them her instant family, the more flashes started to settle in her eased mind

She grabbed the pouch. The spoilt nag screamed. She the bandit ran swiftly and commandeered a white horse, pushing it forward. He was following her but, she was sure she could outride him. Suddenly, there is extra weight tumbling both of them onto the grass. She scrambles but, he has her on her back.

"Show your face you coward!" He barks fist clenched ready to strike. She is ready for the blow but, his expression changes to one of amazement. "You're a girl?" He stared why is he staring? She remembers thinking as she suddenly breathlessly declared: "Woman" striking a rock against his chin with force and making her getaway.

"You can't hide from me, wherever you are I will find you!" He sounded determined so why shouldn't she flash him a smile? It's not like he ever would? Oh how ironic that statement would prove to be.

FLASH.

They have just been to see the imp. She was desperate so despite she's running into the bed chamber aware that he's running after her calling her name. Is he angry? Does he HATE her for giving away their baby's name? WHAT THE HELL DOES SHE DO WITH WHAT THEY HEARD! TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS! TWENTY-EIGHT! Her first smile, first steps, first words and him. Her husband it was agony. She merely turned around as he entered and stood there dying while still breathing tears falling down her cheeks. He is clinging to her she feels, shushing her cries which seem to have gotten louder and louder and louder until she cannot cry any-more. If this was their dream they were waking to a nightmare.

So he holds her and they cry together. This broken family, putting the finishing touches to the nursery their child will never see. And for that moment she was no longer a Warrior, a Bandit or Princess she was a Mother and he a Father.

"OH GOD!" She's clinging to the tiles of the shower scrabbling she sinks down.

They are hers they were always hers. She doesn't hear the knock at the door or anyone come in. She doesn't hear him call for her or place the travel crib containing a sleeping child gently down on the sofa. She doesn't hear him steadily get more concerned until he hears the shower running. It's a mirage that's running towards her and opening the door concern and love painted all over his face. It's him she's sure of it. Somewhere in the depths of her memory she remembers this man, this love the very man who's standing fully clothed in front of her getting drenched.

She takes his hand and he lifts her up gently.

She's beautiful, so beautiful. The fear has gone from her eyes and she is smiling, he reaches for the cord to end the cascade of warm water. The honourable thing to do he thinks or thought though, when and where he has said that phrase he is not sure He feels a hand block his and turns.

"You don't need to do that." She states simply cupping his face. "Is Emma alright?"

"She's in the living room. She'll be out for at least two hours. She's had a wonderful but, tiring day."

"It's just us." The brunette stated.

"Yes." David whispered.

"So I could kiss you here?" Pausing to kiss his lips gently and fiercely he responded with equal fervour. They crashed against the wall kissing every inch of each other's faces. They were building up this tension all this time and then they were exploding.

She tugs at his shirt pulling it over his head while keeping eye contact as if requesting permission which he is more than willing to give. She moves to his pants then pauses. "I propose we move to the bedroom."

"You want to stop." He raises her face to him.

"Who said anything about stopping? I'll just be dammed if our first time..." She wanted to say "since I lost you" but, she changed her mind sensitive to how much he actually knew "is against the wall of the smallest shower known to man or beast."

"Whatever you need it's yours". He strokes her face begins to kiss her neck and as she moans he scoops her up.

"Charming watch your step." Mary-Margaret warns playfully giggling as he manoeuvres them out.

As he steers them into the next room he suddenly remembers doing this on their honeymoon their first, their second and now their third.

"Baby" Snow breathes as she kisses his chin.

"I love you too baby." He assures her not connecting

"Sweetheart I love you but, I was not referring to you"

"Emma".

"Should we do this? I mean what if she wakes up?"

"Trust me. She can sleep through a Hurricane we're good to go".

"Alright, but, this is coming with us I'm not taking any chances". She bent down to retrieve the baby monitor and then was swiftly carried to the bedroom.

Mary-Margaret shuts the door lightly with her fingers and as she is set down onto the bed she feels his fingers retrieve the monitor and set it on the bed.

He loves her and she loves him in all the ways a husband and wife should. He traces her skin kissing the stretch marks which he is now without a doubt certain were caused by her bearing and delivering his baby. Mary-Margaret spoons his skin and kisses the long diagonal scars which he earned saving their child.

"We know who we are to each other don't we?" David looks at her tenderly as he asks a question he already knows the answer to.

"We've known it in our hearts all this time."

"I'm so afraid. That I will close my eyes and she will be gone. That you will be gone I held you but, you were dead and no amount of kisses could wake you. Tell me this is real please!?

He brought his hand to her heart. Snow sighed as she felt it beat again and again.

"This is real Snow White I'm your husband I love you and our daughter and we are going to be a family again."

"I love you Charming and Emma. I LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!"

"Me too."

"Now tell me what did you want to show me?"

Snow kissed his head. "A book but, it can wait."

Thirty minutes later they were lying in each-other's arms Charming was asleep with Snow contently watching over him when she saw and heard the monitor. Creeping out of bed she casually left the bedroom and made her way to her daughters crib.

How strange it felt to rock her baby in her arms but, how right. "Come on baby you can sleep with us tonight.

And for the first time since her wedding and the birth of her baby, Snow White and her complete family finally had a restful night's sleep.

Hope you enjoyed. More coming!