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Seeing the empty crib, and their child nowhere to be seen, Snow went into shock. Both of her hands flew to cover her mouth, with tears in her eyes.

"It's all my fault! I wanted to move the crib!" She said through tears.

"No, Snow, its okay- we'll find him." James said with the same worry.

James dashed out of the room as Snow continued to search the room, practically throwing heavy furniture like they were merely books.

"Guard the doors! Don't let anyone leave!" James shouted at the guards as he passed them. He started to check every room. Snow now was sure her son wasn't in the room, so she left it. She checked every room on that hallway, eventually meeting up with James. Finally, they came across Emma's room. They both swung open the door, and Emma was facing away from them. She turned around, with David in her arms.

"Something wrong?" She asked, rocking David. Emma had a smile on her face, while her parents still had worry on theirs. Snow, with silent tears still streaming down her face, ran over and scooped up her child from her daughter, and sat down next to her. James sat on the opposite side.

"What were you thinking? You worried us, and the guards." James looked at his daughter for an answer.

"I just… I wanted to see my brother. I'm sorry…" Emma was now on the brink of tears. Snow faced her daughter.

"It's okay Emma. Just, please; tell us next time. We would have gladly let you hold him." Emma gave a pitiful nod. Snow put her free arm around her daughter, and hugged her. They took the child out of her room, and all three of them went to the dining hall, and on the way notified the guards that the issue had been resolved. Snow sat with her child at the table for the first time, and her son's blue eyes darted everywhere. This was a new place for him. They talked, and Henry joined them. They told him about what happened early that morning, because Henry had slept through it all. As they ate, David stared in amusement at everything around him, as if to ask himself "What's that?" every time, before losing interest and looking at something else. Soon he got bored. Snow left to feed him, while the others talked.

"I really am sorry about what happened. I didn't know that it would send the entire castle into a panic. I went to ask you guys, but you looked so peaceful, sleeping in each other's arms; I didn't want to wake you up. Please, forgive me?" Emma looked at her father, him and Henry both looking at her.

"Emma, we already have forgiven you. Don't worry about it." James sympathetically looked at his daughter while she nodded. He could tell, no matter what he said to her, she'd still always feel bad about it. By this time, Snow had come back into the room with David.

"James, could you come with me to the courtyard?" Snow had a trace of worry in her voice.

"Yes. What's wrong?" He followed her to the courtyard, carrying David with her. When they finally got outside, Snow sat at her favorite place on the fountain.

"What is it? James said as he sat next to her. Snow was looking down at her son, but she wasn't smiling. She had a zoned-out expression, as if deep in thought.

"Snow?" He placed his hand on her shoulder. She turned and faced him, with the same look on her face.

"Something's wrong with David. He won't eat. He's been like this since yesterday." Her previously emotionless face was now filled with worry.

"We should take him to someone who can help him. I know you won't like it, but… what other option do we have?" Snow's face formed a questioning look.

"No. we aren't taking him to Rumple. That's out of the question."

"James, do you remember all of those years back when we needed advice about our unborn Emma? And he helped us? What makes you think he won't do the same?" Snow asked, still cradling her child in her arms.

"No. I can't trust him. Not after he betrayed us so many times." His tone became stricter.

"So what do we do? Stand idly by while our child slowly starves?" They both winced at the thought.

"No…" He sighed. "I suppose you're right. But if he tries anything, you don't hesitate to run with David. I'll handle it." Snow nodded with a sad expression, imagining what would happen in that situation. The now bored David in his mother's arms began to swing his small hands around and wailing for attention. Snow looked down at her son.

"I know. You're bored." She said to him, and then stood up.

"Come on. I'm sure Emma and Henry are waiting for us." She motioned for her husband to follow her. He sighed, and followed her back to the dining hall.

"Hey, what was that all about?" Emma asked, with a worried look. Snow sighed, her face growing sadder. James noticed her depressed expression, so he told Emma for her.

"Snow and I are going to be away for a while. We need to go see an old… friend... We'll be taking David with us, so you won't need to worry." Emma still had the question as of why.

"But why? What's wrong?"

"He won't eat. We're going to see if Rumple can do anything about it. We'll be back in about three days." Snow quickly said, still not looking up from her child's face.

"What? But, why do you have to see Rumple? Why can't you just go to a doctor?" Emma's face twisted with confusion.

"Well, unless you haven't noticed, there aren't a lot of physicians or apothecaries around here." James told her.

"And this isn't just any other sickness, I can feel it. A mother knows her child more than you know." Snow still didn't look away from her son.

"I'll go tell the servants and stable hands to prepare a carriage. You need to go pack, I'll be up there shortly. Don't worry, everything's going to be alright." Snow nodded, and James kissed her on the cheek. She turned and went on her way.


The carriage was comfortable, but it felt every bump, which was a downside. But they didn't care. All that mattered was making sure their son was safe. They traveled with many knights and guards, all on horseback. They didn't want to take any chances on this journey. That night when they set camp, they posted many guards around it, so David would be safe. The journey took about a day and a half, until they finally reached Rumple's estate. They both made their way to the doors, and James knocked, and the doors swung open.

"Belle, we need to see Mr. Go- er, Rumple, right away." Belle's face soon shared the same worry that they did.

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes, it's about our child. Something's the matter with him, and we need his help with it. Please, Belle." Snow stepped forward with a sympathetic look, holding the baby David. Seeing this, Belle smiled.

"Please, come in. Make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Belle. We appreciate it." Snow stepped inside the home, and found a comfortable seat to relax with her son.

"Rumpelstiltskin?" Belle called upstairs.

"In a minute dearie, I'm busy." He called back.

"No, you have to come now. Snow and James are here and they have an emergency." She called back up.

"What kind of problem?" His voice said from behind her. Startled, she turned around and faced him.

"You need to stop doing that." She giggled. Rumple then turned around and faced his surprise guests.

"What a delight to see you. Now, how may I address your little 'problem'?" His high pitched voice was giddy sounding, just like it always was.

"Surely with all of the rumors spread around the kingdom, you've heard of our new son?" James moved to the side, revealing Snow cradling her son.

"Of course I have! Belle told me all about it. My, my, my! You've just gotten home and you're already popping out a second!" Rumple giggled in his shrill voice.

"Yes, but, something's wrong. He hasn't eaten for days, and we're worried about it. Can you see what's wrong?" Snow said, as she looked up at him.

"Of course, dearie! You expect any less of me?" He moved toward the child in Snow's arms.

"May I?" He made a picking-up action. With a worried look, she turned to her husband, who shared the same look.

"Only if I come with you." James said. Taking the child from her arms, James followed Rumple upstairs. Snow sat back down next to Belle, and cupped her hands on her head.

"Snow, it's alright. Even if I don't know much about being a parent, you can talk to me." Belle placed her hand on Snow's shoulder. Snow looked up.

"But what if something is seriously wrong with my son? What if it's incurable? What if-" Belle interrupted her.

"Snow, it'll be alright. Don't worry; I'm sure Rumple will find a way." Snow gave her a sad smile.

"Thank you, Belle. Thank you for everything."


Rumple had James lay David on an empty table. Rumple laid one hand on the child's stomach, and his hand began to glow. Rumple took his hand away after a moment.

"So? What now?" James picked his son back up.

"Now, you pay me, and you're free to go." Rumple giggled.

"Pay you? We didn't discuss this."

"The rules are simple, dearie. I offer my help for something in return." James sighed at his words.

"What do you want?"

"Answers to a… particular question, I have!" Rumple let out another shrill laugh.

"What do you want to know?" James crossed his arms.

"Why did you have another child?" Rumple's face twisted into a questioning look.

"We didn't plan to, but if we did, I'd say it was for a second chance at being parents. Why?"

"And, how does dear Emma feel about this?" Rumple asked, without even acknowledging James' question.

"Fine, as far as I can tell. She was a bit upset at first, but now she's perfectly fine. But why do you ask?"

"I was just… curious." Rumple giggled. James turned and walked back down the stairs.


"Snow, I told you everything would be alright. David's fine." She gave an ecstatic smile, and ran to him and her son, and scooped David out of her husband's arms. She gave a long kiss to her husband, as a sign of thanks. They both slowly pulled apart, and Rumple came down the stairs. Snow smiled at him.

"Thank you, Rumple. You don't know how relieved I am."

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, dearie. I know the powerful emotions of a parent, from my dear Bae." Rumple smiled, and for the first time that night, he seemed calm. Snow nodded.

"Would you like to stay for dinner? It would be nice to have some company." Belle offered.

"Oh, as much as we'd love to, Belle, Emma and Henry are expecting us back in day, so we really must head back."

"Oh, well it was lovely seeing you again, Snow." The two women hugged, they said their goodbyes and thanks, and left.


Message from the author

I hope you enjoyed it! Sorry to leave you at such a suspenseful moment last chapter, I had to keep it interesting! This chapter was a bit longer than usual, to make up for the days before when I didn't upload. But you'll be seeing chapter 9 soon!