Chapter 7

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Mommy…" "Happy Birthday to you!" David sang bouncing an excitable Emma in his arms when he realised his wife was indeed awake and by the balcony.

Her 28th year had been a sombre but, happy one, marriage and motherhood adding to her grace and serenity.

"Aha! Thank you!" She exclaimed scooping their blonde haired eight-month old up and twirling her in her arms before kissing her for-head. "What a pretty dress. Did Daddy pick it for you?" Snow was referring to the red velvet dress and white tights he had dressed her in, which she knows would have been a battle in itself, but, in his own Charming way he had obviously won this one.

She turned them to meet his body and place a grateful kiss on his lips and was acutely aware he was holding something behind his back.

"Charming, what's behind your back?"

"I know that this day is hard for you…" He began revealing the box. "But, I wanted to show you how much we love you."

"Oh David." She had tears in her eyes as she opened the box with her free hand, in it, was the most beautiful pair of green peridot earrings she had ever seen. Emma must have thought so too because she started to fuss until, her mother let her crawl over to Johanna's waiting arms.

"Let's see what we can make in the kitchen, little one." She cooed giving them a knowing smile before heading down towards the kitchen.

As soon as they were gone, she laced her arms around his neck and gave him a long and warm kiss before setting the box down on the vanity table and then returning to him.

"I love you." Snow sighed happily, "So much."

"I have to go…" He groaned against her lips.

"What? WHY?" Snow said almost affronted that their private time was being interrupted even, if it was for her benefit.

"I'm sorry." He said pressing several kisses to her clinging lips as he pulled away slowly.

"Oh!" She whined like her own child "I wanted to spend the morning in bed."

"I'm sorry!"

"Why are you leaving?" She moaned as he blew a kiss.

"Because I love you." He answered sweetly before turning his back and walking with purpose out of the room as she stared at his bottom in leather trousers.

"GODS!"

"Ballroom, in two hours Snow."

"I love you." She called as he chuckled.

Hours later she arrived in an emerald gown with her newly gifted earrings and white slippers. The ballroom was beautiful, filled with guest and music and most importantly her prince and princess in blue grey finery and a purple silk dress.

People suddenly started clapping as they saw her which caused her husband to turn around and smile.

"Mama,"

"Yes, that's your Mama." He said caught at her beauty as she extended her gloved hands to him and he pulled her closer.

"This is incredible!" She gasped pressing a kiss to his fore-head

"For you I would do anything."

"For us." She emphasised on her part. "My precious family."

"To Princess Snow" Thomas called, "And her beautiful family."

"PRINCESS SNOW!" Everyone raised their glasses and cheered.

She smiled in gratitude and whispered in David's ear. "Thank you."

Hours passed, Emma had long fallen asleep in her crib and the guests were gone they were alone and it was bliss.

"Dance with me." She murmured as he held her and they started to move to a rhythm of their own. Slow and sensual.

"One, two, three."

"One, two, three." They said alternately moving into a waltz as he took her hands.

She hummed a tune that reminded her of their love as she kissed his chin before they finally reached their bedchamber and held each other long into the night.

"Happy Birthday darling."

"The happiest." She replied knowing, that somewhere her mother was watching and smiling as well.

"Happy Birthday my sweet child." Eva said before joining her husband in the after-life.