Hey all! Hope you had a great holiday! I've gotten some more nervous reviews and messages about the drama, some of you think very big haha. That's all I choose to say on the matter! We've still got a few chapters to get there, but I will say the time jumps are starting soon, just so we can. But, still a few tiny things to get through first. Also, I know Emma may seem a little petty in this chapter, just keep in mind the power of nicknames and special meanings. Especially given her past.


Chapter Seven: Sweets

Emma and Bae's relationship was slowly progressing, or progressing as much as two teenagers could. They were kissing more, though they were hesitant to do so in front of Lily and Ruby. They were determined that their foursome would not be ruined by this blossoming relationship She felt a tug to hang out more with her friends, due to all that was going on at home. It wasn't anything big, but her jealousy was starting to peak again.

Neal's first birthday was quickly approaching. He had only been with them a month, but those were the perks of taking in a 10-month-old. Mary and David were going all out for his party, a large affair in their backyard. Emma wasn't so much jealous of the party, really. She knew if she let her parents, they'd throw her a similar (albeit more grown up) party. It was more of the fact that he'd have good birthday memories, always. She was happy for that, she never wanted him to deal with the pain he did. But every time she heard her mom talk about the cake she was baking or her dad bought yet another gift (how many presents did a baby really need?), she felt a tiny ping in her stomach. She couldn't enjoy her birthday, not really. For her 15th, they had done something small once again and while she had fun, the memories from Ed and Helga ran deep. It was more than just the birthday too, Neal was going to have the ideal childhood. Not just his needs, but his wants would be met. He would never feel the pain of an empty belly or having no one there for your big moments. That was how it was supposed to be, which just added to Emma's guilt. Her brother should have all of that, she didn't get why she was so jealous.

Mary had sensed her daughter was feeling a little jealous and had tried to dial down talking about it in front of her, but sometimes it was just inevitable. Plus, she was excited, David was too. It wasn't just Neal's first birthday, it was his first birthday with them as a family. They were a family of four, finally whole. They knew that Emma was a little excited too, she had bought her baby bro presents and had even helped her mom pick a theme or more so talked her out of circus and suggested The Hungry Caterpillar because it seemed to be the little one's favorite book. He laughed through it, even though he probably didn't understand the words, he just liked the colors. But as happy as they were to have this party, it was bittersweet. They never got to throw one like this for Emma.

While looking at themes, Mary had stumbled across a princess one. Just by looking at the banner, she knew it would've been the one she selected for her little princess. They would've done just as much for Emma as they were Neal. They still would if they let her on her birthdays now. They knew Emma knew this, they also understood that they couldn't rewrite the past. They were all sort of just stuck with this bittersweet feeling, trying to focus more on the sweet than the bitter.

Emma's jealousy seemed to come to a head not long after her first date with Bae. She was getting ready to go out with him yet again when she heard her mother getting Neal up from his nap.

"Good afternoon," she cooed. "How was your sleep, huh?" Her brother's sweet gurgle could be heard from the next room. "Let's get your diaper changed, sweets."

Emma paused. Sweets. That was her nickname. That was what her mother called her and her alone. She knew she was being a little silly, but she couldn't help it. Growing up, first with Ed and Helga, followed by the foster system, she never had any pleasant nicknames. Brat, idiot, crybaby, stupid, were just among the list. When she came to live with David and Mary, they were the first people to give her affectionate pet names. Mary calling her sweets had been one of the things to really feel like she cared about her. Every time she called her that, even to that day, it made her feel safe. Secure.

David's special nickname for her was safe. She was his princess. Neal was a boy and while her father had occasionally called him his "little knight", that was different. Yes, sweets was gender neutral (as princess could be, she supposed, but she didn't take David as one to call his son "princess"), but it didn't matter to her.

She knew her mom wasn't doing it on purpose, it was probably just second nature. Neal was a baby, he was sweeter than Emma. He was her mom's baby too. So, she didn't understand, why she felt so ticked off. She huffed and grabbed her bag, heading out of her bedroom.

"I'm leaving!" She nearly shouted in the direction of the nursery.

Mary poked her head out, Neal in her arms. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." And with that, she was gone.

Mary was a little confused. Typically, her daughter would give at least Neal a kiss goodbye. That's when it dawned on her. She had felt a little weird after calling Neal "sweets". She hadn't really meant to say it, it just slipped off the tongue. She was tired, this was the baby's first nap in days due to his teething. While yes, he was a very sweet baby, that was her nickname for Emma. She had never called anyone that before her. It seemed silly, but she knew how much it meant to her daughter. It meant a lot to her too. She could come up with her own special nickname for her son.

"Mama's so silly, Nealy," she told him with a tiny sigh. "I think I really hurt big sissy's feelings. Oh well, I'll find a way to make it up to her."

"Mama," Neal babbled.

Mary smiled. "That's right, Mama will fix this. How about a snack for Mama's clever boy?"

"Mama," he repeated.


Bae knew his girl, he knew when something was bothering her. So, when she got in his car and slammed the door, throwing on her seatbelt, he knew he was in for an interesting afternoon.

"Alright, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Emma."

"Baelfire."

"Emma Ruth."

She shot him a glare. "Baelfire Cassidy."

He should've saw that one coming. Emma loved her nickname, it was something special to her, a connection with the grandmother she never knew. Bae hated his because it was Milah's middle, she had given it to him at birth since Ralph selected Baelfire.

"Alright, guess I deserve that."

Emma sighed. She was taking out her anger on him and that wasn't fair. She had worked so hard to move past that, it was one of her worse traits. "I'm sorry, it's just stupid."

"I'm sure it's not."

"I'm going to sound like a 5-year-old."

"Something about Neal's party?" She had opened up a little about it to him. He got it, in a way. He hadn't felt too much jealousy about his new baby brother, except for when it came to him and Belle. In many ways, he felt like he had just gained a mother and now he had to share her. With another boy, no less.

"No. And you can't laugh."

"Scout's honor."

"She called him my nickname."

"Sweets?" Blush crept across her cheeks and he chuckled. "Don't be embarrassed, it's just something I picked up. She calls you that and she alone, not even your dad calls you that."

"It's stupid, I'm being childish, right?"

"No. It's your special name from her."

"It's more than that." She sighed again. "You wanna know Helga's nickname for me?"

"Go ahead."

"Mistake." Baelfire flinched. Milah had thrown that one around with him. "Not like, every day or anything, but enough. I was brat or bastard to Ed. In the foster system, brat and stupid were pretty popular ones. Little Orphan Emmy from the kids with families."

"People are assholes," he told her as he turned on to Main Street.

Emma gave him a small smile. "But then I got placed with my parents. Mom called me sweets within an hour of meeting me, when we were out shopping." She could still remember it. "And every time she would, it just made me feel safe. Like I belonged." She looked at her lap. "It's stupid, I know."

"It's not stupid. It's important to you."

"Neal…he's going to get everything. And that's the way it should be. I'm not mad that he'll never have memory of his time in the system, that he'll never experience abuse. I'd probably kill the person who ever laid a hand on him. But he gets all of it: birthday parties, getting tucked in at night, knowing what a hug feels like, knowing what love feels like." She pursed her lips together, willing herself not to cry. "My nickname from my dad is safe. And this sounds so petty, but I just want one thing…one thing from my mom. One thing that I don't have to feel this jealousy over."

"That's completely understandable. You went through a hell of a lot and you deserve everything your brother will get." Baelfire parked in front of the arcade and grabbed her hand. His girlfriend looked over at him, giving him a watery smile. "And there are some things, that you get that Neal never will."

Emma's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"Huh?"

"Well, this is how I look at it, for me at least. It's how I manage to get my jealousy with Gideon…"

"I hadn't even thought…" Emma suddenly felt bad. "I go on and on about Neal, I never even asked…"

Bae waved her off. "Don't worry about it."

"I will. Bae, you help me through everything. I should at least be able to help you. I mean you're my…" She blushed again. "My you know…"

"Boyfriend?" He smiled.

"Well…yeah."

"I'm glad that's out there. But seriously, Em…"

"If I'm going to vent to you about my life, you tell me about yours. Remember what I told you last year? There's no Pain Olympics. We both go through shit."

Bae's smile widened. "Alright, I'll tell you. But in order for me to explain, you have to let me talk."

Emma giggled. "Sorry."

"Well, I feel the same way about Gideon. I never had a mom, not a real one anyway. Then I get her and suddenly, I'm sharing her with this baby. I love the kid, but it's hard. I try to remember this though, as much as he's going to get, I got different things from her." Blush crept upon his cheeks. "No teasing me."

"I won't."

"She sort of put me back together. I still was sort of broken when my dad met her, we both were. But our relationship is special because of that. Gideon will never know the pain I did, but he'll also never know how awesome it is to have that missing piece be filled."

Emma smiled at the thought. She really hadn't looked at it that way. She leaned in, kissing him. He was caught off guard, but deepened it. When they pulled apart, he still looked a little shocked.

"What was that for?"

"Just being you. You always make me look at things differently."

"The jealousy's still there. It'll always be there, probably. You just find ways to cope."

"You know, my parents should just send the checks they write Archie to you."

Baelfire laughed. "Baelfire Gold, PhD. Has a nice ring, no?"

"You're a lot cuter than he is," she told him.

"Oh? Well that's good to know." He leaned in, giving her another kiss. "Feel better?"

"A little. I don't have the urge to go rip up one of Neal's stuffed animals anymore."

"Good."

"Now, enough therapy. I'm just going to cause you to need some when you get your butt whooped by me at air hockey."

"Oh, I don't think so. You'll be in his office crying tomorrow about how your boyfriend is the champion."

"As if. This may be the end of our relationship," Emma teased with a wink.

They went in the arcade, playing a few rounds of the game, with Emma winning each and every one.

"Oh yeah! Who's the boss?"

Baelfire rolled his eyes. "I got the sucky side."

"Oh please, bow down to the queen," Emma told him.

"Shouldn't it be princess, Daddy's girl?"

"Oh, is Daddy's sweet boy going to go home crying?"

"You're going to regret that."

"Am I? How?"

Bae pulled her into his arms and started tickling her sides. She began giggling uncontrollably.

"No fair!" Emma squealed in between giggles.

"I don't think so!"

"Baelfire, stop it!"

"Say I'm the best boyfriend in the world!"

"Boyfriend, huh?"

The two looked up and saw Lily standing there. Bae released Emma and she smoothed out her hair.

"Didn't know you two became official," she attempted to smirk, but they could tell something was wrong.

"It's recent. Lil, what's wrong?" Emma asked.

"Nothing."

"Lily," she stepped closer. "I am the queen of walls, do not make me break down yours."

She sighed. "My parents are fighting again."

Bae and Emma shot her a sympathetic look. It was no secret that Mal and Marvin were having problems. They had been seen leaving Archie's every Wednesday and their fights were going public in his shop. Lily had to hear the most of it at home, with the two constantly putting her in the middle. Both of her friends got what all of it was like. Bae had experienced it before Milah walked out, Emma not just with Helga and Ed, but several foster parents as well.

"I just had to get out of there, I doubt they even noticed I left."

"Why don't we go to Granny's," Emma offered. "Milkshakes, no screaming. I think Ruby's about to get off too."

"No, you guys are on a date. I just came here to hide…"

"We can have a date anytime," Bae butted in. "Plus, I'm debating breaking up with Emma, she's too braggy."

"As if, you're a sore loser," Emma jabbed back. Lily couldn't help but smile. This banter she could live with.

"Bae, if you break up with Emma, I will kill you," she threatened, throwing an arm around her best friend as they walked out of the arcade.

They got to the diner and sure enough, their other friend was getting off her shift. She joined them in a booth for milkshakes and talk, about anything but the problems going on in their lives. They were an interesting group, for sure, but what they would do without one another, they were not sure. Lily was laughing by the end and Emma had nearly forgotten about what she had gotten into Bae's car so angry about.

After dropping Lily off, they were back at the Nolan's.

"So," Bae gave her a smile. "You going to talk to your mom?"

"I don't know," Emma sighed. "Maybe it's not worth it."

"If it upsets you, it is."

"I'll think about it. Good enough?"

"I suppose."

Emma leaned in, giving him a kiss. A minute later, she could hear knocking on the window. She didn't even need to pull apart to know it was her father. She rolled her eyes before doing the same to the window.

"Hi Daddy," Emma told him, giving him a Look.

"Hey kids." David leaned in the window. "Whatchya up to?"

"I'm sure you can see, that's why you were knocking on the window."

Bae chuckled, neither father nor daughter missed that it was nervously. "I'll text you, Em."

"Sure you will." She thought about it for a minute and gave his lips a final kiss before getting out of the car and heading back to the house with her father.

"Was that one really necessary?"

"Is you being overprotective?"

"So, since he kissed you can I not?"

"That's exactly right. Bae's the only guy in my life."

David pretended to be offended and then kissed both of her cheeks. Emma just laughed as she put her key in the door.

"You're such a dork."

"And you can be sassy. We all find ways to cope."

The minute she walked in the house, she was hit by the smell of double chocolate cake.

"Wow, Mama's making your favorite cake. What'd she do?" David teased, having no way of knowing just how accurate he was. Then he saw her face and raised an eyebrow. "Oh God, what did she do?"

"Nothing." Emma shook her head. Her mom really didn't know what she had done, had she? She didn't even know that she had overheard it. This had to be a test run for Neal's birthday cake. Mary had been going on and on about how she didn't know which flavor would be best.

"Em…"

"This is probably for Neal."

As she headed for the stairs, her mom beaconed for her from the kitchen. Emma sighed, she really wasn't in the mood to talk about the party, not after Bae had spent all that time cheering her up. She channeled her inner-Bae and tried to remember what he said as she headed in there.

They're the glue, they're the glue.

"Hey baby," she said. "How was your date?"

"It was fine."

"What'd you do?"

"Arcade, shakes with Lily and Ruby." She figured the shakes would be enough to get her out of the cake. No way would her mom let her have that much sugar before dinner.

"Sounds like fun. I just put your favorite cake in the oven for dessert, but I have some batter left over. Why don't you have at it?"

Emma raised an eyebrow. Batter. Her mother was going to essentially let her lick the bowl after she inhaled shakes.

"Dinner's coming up, is it not?" Emma asked.

"Yeah." The smile didn't leave Mary's face until her daughter walked over and pinched her arm. "Ow! Emma Ruth!"

"Sorry, had to make sure aliens didn't come and abduct you while I was gone."

Mary rolled her eyes and pushed the bowl forward, adding a spoon to it. "Here. Sweets for my sweets."

Emma looked down at the bowl. So her mother did know that she heard.

"Mama…"

"Emma."

Emma sighed. "You don't have to do this. Being upset about it, is just making me seem younger than Neal."

"No, it's not. It just slipped out, I didn't mean to call him that. That is my special nickname for you."

"Well…again, not a baby. Shouldn't matter."

"But it does. And I'm sorry that it hurt you," Mary said, putting a hand on her arm. "You know I'd never want to do that."

"That's why it's dumb. You're an amazing mother, you would never do anything to hurt me and I stormed out of here pouting."

"It's my name for you."

"It's just…" Emma sighed again. "Growing up, I didn't have any good nicknames." She wasn't about to rehash them from her mother, but Mary had a pretty good idea. "And then I came here…it was the first time that nicknames were used out of love and not taunting. There are little random ones that don't really matter if you call him that. But two stuck, I don't know why, but they did."

"Princess and sweets?" Mary guessed. Emma nodded, still staring at the bowl. "It's perfectly normal to be protective of those names and they are yours and yours alone."

"I can't claim them."

"With us, you definitely can. I don't think your father is going to start calling Neal "Princess" and I won't be calling him sweets again."

"But that's just silly. Neal deserves the best, he deserves everything."

Mary tipped her chin up so she was looking her in the eye. "And you deserve something that's just yours."

Emma gave her a small smile. "You don't think I'm acting like a little kid?"

"No." She walked around the corner and enveloped Emma into a big hug. Emma hugged her tighter, burying her head into her shoulder. "If you started calling someone else Mama, I think I'd be pretty jealous." Her daughter's giggle filled the room.

"Well I don't think you have to worry about that."

"You know," Mary said, a little more seriously. "Your father and I wish we could've given you all of this Emma…what we can Neal."

"I know," Emma whispered.

"If we could turn back time…"

"Then we wouldn't have found Neal."

"I guess I never thought about that."

"Even if you could, you were young and there was nothing anyone could've done in that situation. It was just what was meant to happen. I didn't get real parents until I was 13, it sucks but it's…it's just how things are."

Mary sighed, holding her tighter to her. She knew Emma was right, but she hated it. Why was that how fate had worked things out? If she allowed herself to go down that path again, she knew she'd go nuts, so she just pulled away, kissing her daughter's cheek.

"Eat your batter."

Emma smiled and took a bite. David poked his head in.

"Is it safe? Do I need to get the intervention team in here?"

"You're just hilarious," Mary shot back, with an eye roll. David chuckled and walked over to his daughter, attempting to stick his finger in the bowl. Emma pulled it away.

"Mama didn't do anything to you," she informed him.

"She's mean to me every day," David replied.

"Every day? You weren't saying that last night…" Mary began to say, cut off by Emma putting her hands over her ears.

"La la la, my parents do not do things like that, they're nuns…"

"Men can't be nuns, Princess," David reminded her with a chuckle.

"Fine, you're a monk then," she told him. He rolled his eyes and took a bite.

"How do you think I feel coming home and finding you kissing Bae in his car?"

"Kissing is not the same. Plus, no one said you had to look in the car."

"I pulled up and got a call from Graham. Five minutes later and the car was still there. Curiosity was peaked."

"It also killed the cat."

"Your cat may die if you don't go feed him dinner."

Emma scoffed but walked over to the bowls set out for Oliver. The growing cat ran over.

"I can't believe how big he's gotten," Mary commented. "What happened to the little fur ball Emma brought home?"

"They grow up fast," Emma replied as she poured out the food. She didn't see her parents staring at her with a loving look, thinking about how right she was.


Emma laid in bed that night, attempting to fall asleep. Neal was awake, crying from his sore gums. She never woke up from his cries, but that night he had chosen to do it before she shut her eyes. Over the cries, she could hear her mother's lullaby and she was hoping that would put her to sleep too. As Neal's cries began to die down, Emma's phone rang. It was Lily. A little worried, she answered.

"Lily?" She whispered.

"Look out your window."

Emma walked to it and nearly screamed, but covered her mouth in time. Lily was hanging off the drain pipe, waving. The blonde quickly made sure her door was secure and shut before going back to the window, opening it. Lily climbed in, brushing herself off. She was wearing cupcake pajamas pants and a school sweatshirt, a backpack over her shoulder.

"What are you doing here?" Emma whispered.

"Oh you know, I just love scaling drain pipes," Lily replied, softly.

"Explain."

She sighed. "I can't sleep. My parents are fighting again."

Emma bit her lip. She could remember those days. The closet was always her sanctuary. Somehow, the clothes would muffle out some of the screams. In other foster homes, if they had CD players, she'd crank up some music. Though that usually just got her screamed at.

"Did you tell them you were coming here?" Emma asked. The look on her best friend's face gave her away. "So, that'd be a no."

"They won't notice I'm gone."

"But my parents may notice tomorrow when they wake up and have two daughters instead of the one."

"I'll sneak back out before they wake up. I promise, I do this with Ruby all the time, but I think Granny's catching on."

Emma sighed. She couldn't turn Lily away. Back when she was in the system, she wished she had a friend's house to run away to. Instead, her option was basically to just run away until she was discovered and turned over to her social worker. "You can stay here."

Lily smiled, hugging her tight. "You're the best friend ever."

"Don't mention it. Wait here."

She snuck out of her room and down the stairs. She grabbed two cans of coke and the box of Cheez-Its before going back up, making sure her door was once again securely shut before offering out one of the cans. Lily beamed and accepted it, sitting down on the bed. Emma sat beside her, opening the box and putting it in the middle.

"I'm sorry your parents are fighting like this," she whispered.

Lily shrugged. "They're getting a divorce."

"Oh Lil…"

"I'm not upset about that, not really. The fighting will be over, so that's a plus."

"Still not easy. Who's um…"

"Moving? My dad. That was the fight. My mom wanted him to stay, for me."

Emma put an arm around her, pulling her close. Lily rest her head on her shoulder, putting a few crackers into her mouth. Nothing had to be said. The brunette had comforted the blonde a few times over their friendship, it was simply the latter's time to return the favor.


Fun fact, Cheez-Its and coke were my childhood friend and I's go to whenever I would sleepover her house, had to incorporate here! Anyway, tell me what you guys want to see before we get to the drama (or even during, even though you don't know what it is haha). Emma's snuck her bestie in for the night. How will that go? As always, thank you for your awesome reviews!