Emma sits at the counter in her parent's apartment, staring at her wrist. It is disconcerting to feel the magic she had just claimed seeping out of her; being pulled into the innocent looking yellow ribbon around her wrist. Emma wants to figure out what is going on but she is exhausted. Her mother had driven her and Elsa home in the bug while the boys walked back to the truck. Emma had wanted another chance to talk with Killian, tease him for missing her firework show, ask him his thoughts on the mysterious ribbon, ask him why he seemed a little distant. But Snow was in full mothering mode and Emma had decided to just let her take control. She would just have to talk to him later.

Snow places a steaming mug in front of her with a smile. "So are you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

Snow rolls her eyes. "What happened in the house? How did you get control of your magic?"

Emma takes a sip of her hot chocolate as she tries to compose her thoughts. "Oh. Well. I was about to use the spell that Gold cooked up. But Elsa came in and told me not to do it. I didn't think she could help me. I didn't think anyone could help me."

Snow reaches out and squeezes Emma's hand. Emma meets her eyes and gives her a smile before continuing. "And I was right. Nobody could help me. It was all about me. I had to accept my magic, stop fighting it. And…well…I had to accept myself. Love myself." Emma rolls her eyes. "Ugh. It sounds so cheesy!"

Snow shakes her head. "No. It doesn't! It makes sense."

"Really?" Emma casts a skeptical look.

"Sure. I mean magic is tricky, based on emotion. Of course love would be the key."

Emma sighs. "I keep forgetting that you grew up with all this magic stuff."

"Just cause I grew up with magic doesn't mean I understand it all."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. For instance, I thought that you had gotten control of your magic using True Love's kiss."

Emma almost chokes on her cocoa and Snow grins at her.

"What?"

"Well when I saw Killian, I just assumed…"

"Hold up! You think Killian is….I mean…that's ridiculous."

"Is it?" The coy look on her mother's face makes Emma feel defensive.

"Yes. I mean I like him. I do. But True Love?"

"Hmmm…" Snow sips at her drink but Emma can tell she has something to say.

"What?" Emma knows her voice is coming out harsh but she can't help it.

"Nothing! I am sorry I brought it up." Snow raises her hands as if to push the subject away.

They drink their cocoa and sit in silence for a few minutes. Emma's mind whirrs with the idea of True Love. If she is honest with herself she doesn't really understand the concept, not fully. She knew what it felt to love romantically at least she thought she did. She had loved Neal, been willing to do anything for him, right up until the moment he had sent her to prison. And even after all that her love for him had lingered in her heart. She loved her parents. She loved Henry. Her love for Henry had broken a curse, so surely she had True Love with her son. But loving a child was not the same as loving a man. What she felt for Killian was complex and scary. Most days she tried not to think too hard about it. Tried only to enjoy their time together and live in the moment.

Snow stands and takes her empty mug to the sink. She turns and leans against it.

"Look Emma. I know you have a hard time letting people in. Letting yourself love someone, because you are afraid of being hurt."

"It's not…" Snow shakes her head cutting Emma off.

"That's okay because love can hurt. When I could't be with your father I took a forgetting potion because I couldn't handle the pain. But I want you to know Emma, that all the pain I have felt because of my love for your father, all the separations, all the curses, everything. It was worth it. Love. Love is worth it Emma. And maybe you don't see it or you don't want to see it but Killian loves you." Emma had been staring into her cocoa but at these words she looks up up sharply. "And I think you love him Even if you are not ready to admit it."

Emma isn't sure if she is going to agree with her mother or argue but just then the door opens.

Henry comes in first, yawning and rubbing his eyes, followed by David. Emma feels her heart sink a little when Killian isn't with them.

"Where is Killian?" Snow asks.

"Dropped him off at Granny's." Charming replies as he takes off his jacket.

Henry is already heading for his bed when Emma stops him. "Come here kid." She pulls him into her arms and feels a warm glow and rush at the way he snuggles into her for a moment. He is growing so fast and she knows one day he won't be so eager to hug his mom.

"I'm glad you kept your magic." he whispers into her hair.

"Me too kid."

"I love you." he pulls back and shoots her a smile.

"I love you to kid." she ruffles his hair. "Now go to bed."

He nods and stumbles back to the stairs. She watches him, her heart near bursting with love. She thinks about how she would do anything for her son, no matter the cost and she knows that is the essence of True Love. She turns and catches her parent's wrapped in each other's arms taking comfort and support from one another. She feels a sudden longing to feel Killian's arms around her and she lets out a sigh. Causing her parents to turn with questioning looks.

She shakes her head. "Hey Mom. Remember when I said we had equal amounts of wisdom? I take it back."

Snow's face lights up but David still looks confused. "Did I miss something?"

"I'll tell you later." Snow whispers but Emma hears.

"Wait. Do you and Dad talk about us? About Killian and me?"

David seems to have caught on and lets a grin flash across his face. "Emma. You're our daughter of course we talk about you!"

Emma let out a groan. "I'm going to bed." She spins away from the counter and heads for the stairs. She isn't really embarrassed that her parent's discuss her love life. Mostly she is pleased to know that they care because so much of her life nobody had bothered to care at all.

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Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay guys! This NaNoWriMo stuff takes a lot of time! I hope you like this one! I realized I hadn't written a proper scene between Emma and Snow and thought this worked. Let me know your thoughts and thanks so much for the follows, favs, and reviews. You guys are awesome!