/So due to life circumstances, I never actually attended kindergarten, or reception as it is known here. I started year 1 (first grade) when I moved from the South to the North West of England and so just kinda skipped it. Anyway, had I been, it would have been 17/18 years ago, and so I only know what I have seen/read on TV and other fics (so forgive any mistakes please).

Just want to say thank you to Austenphile, Danica-SQ and oncer4life11, your constant kind reviews are the reason I keep writing./

Chapter 9

"Are you sure I have to go to school daddy? I could just stay with you today, and go tomorrow?" David laughed quietly as he brushed through the knots in Emma's hair. Truthfully he had spent most of the night awake and had considered that more than once, but he knew that if he didn't make her go in today, he might never.

"I promise you princess that as soon as you get there you will realise how much you love it and you won't be able to wait to go back every day." He finished brushing her hair and noticed she was tugging at the hem of her dress. "What do you want me to do with your hair?"

"Braids. No, pony. No, curly!" She huffed as if it was the most difficult choice in the world. "You choose daddy." He held back a laugh and separated a small section from the side of her parting, making a simple plait. He tied it with a ribbon and fluffed the rest of her hair before kissing the top of her head.

"Put your shoes on sweetheart, then come downstairs ok, I made breakfast." He left her on her own and made his way downstairs, picking up her backpack from the table in the hall. He'd packed it the night before but wanted to check he had everything, and wanted to add in one of the brownies Mary Margaret had bought around the previous evening. He'd packed her a lunch that was currently sat in the fridge and he had written her a note which he placed in the front pocket of her backpack.

When he heard her footsteps at the top of the stairs he moved to the kitchen, removing the plates from the oven where they were being kept warm, and placed them on the table next to their juice. Emma made her way to the table and began to pick at her eggs, not eating much by the time David had finished his. He kept an eye on the clock as he watched her eat, and after 5 minutes having one forkful of eggs, he sighed.

"Eat one piece of toast and then go brush your teeth. It's a nice enough day I thought we'd walk to school." He stood from the table and cleared his plate, packing her lunch in her bag, making sure he was ready to go when she was ready. It wasn't long before she'd walked away from the table and returned from upstairs with her coat, having brushed her teeth. He took her coat from her and handed her the sign which he had filled in with the date, and it was time for the obligatory 'first day of school' picture. He took one, sighing as he noticed how grumpy Emma looked, and knelt down so he was eye level with her.

"This is a big day for you princess, I get that. I know you are nervous, I am too. But this is a day that daddy is going to remember for the rest of his life and so I need you to give me a smile." It took a few seconds, but soon a genuine smile appeared on the little blonde's face and the older blonde snapped a picture before it dropped. Vowing to send it to Ruby, Granny and Mary Margaret later, he helped Emma on with her coat and they were out the door.

The pair walked down the street, David carrying the backpack on his shoulder while holding Emma's hand. The school was close so the walk was short, and they arrived a handful of minutes before the kids were supposed to be called to their classrooms. David, having not made it to the meeting of Emma's teacher the previous week, wanted to meet them before the school day started and so the pair made their way to where they'd been told Emma's kindergarten class would be.

David knelt down in front of his daughter, removing the bag from his shoulder and handing it to her. "Your lunch is in here, I'm sure your teacher will show you where to put it. There's also a special treat in there, but you have to wait until lunch time." Emma nodded, and smiled, though she seemed a little nervous. He held out his arms to hug her and she fell into them, holding tightly to his neck. "You'll have a great day princess, and I can't wait to hear all about it later on."

A shadow fell over the pair and they both looked up at the same time, surprised to see Mary Margaret stood before them, clasping a folder in her crossed arms.

"Good morning Emma!" The brunette was smiling brightly, and the sight of her alone made Emma relax in David's arms.

"Snow!"

David stood and turned, flustered as he did not expect to see her. "Mary Margaret… do you…? Are you… Emma's teacher?"

Mary Margaret smiled and nodded, unfolding her arms to make a check on her document. "I was going to tell you but…" She paused as Emma launched herself at her knees. This time it was Mary Margaret who knelt so she was eye to eye with Emma. She hugged her briefly, complimenting her outfit before standing to talk to the pair.

"I have to get into class, but if you wish we can speak about this later?" David nodded before lifting Emma up for another hug.

"Listen princess, I know you know and like Mary Margaret but when you are at school she is your teacher. You have to call her Ms Blanchard and do what she says when she says it, like your teachers in nursery, remember."

Emma answered in the affirmative, no longer looking nervous. She took a step closer to her neighbour, now teacher and waved at David. "Bye daddy, I love you." She reached up to take Mary Margaret's hand, which the brunette allowed just this once, and walked into the classroom, not looking back once. David's breath caught in his throat and he stood there for a few moments, just watching the space where his daughter had been. He'd told his boss he would be coming into work for a few hours until he had to pick Emma up, and he knew he would be finding any excuse to leave early and be the first one there at home time. He had a feeling he would be missing her a whole lot more than she would be missing him.

When 2:30 rolled around David was already in the shower, tired after a day of drill training, but excited to pick up his little girl. His chief, aware that David was a single father, and the station was in the process of integrating their new trainees, had allowed David some leeway in the hours he worked, as long as he completed all his drill training and was available for emergencies.

David dressed quickly, wanting to get to the school before the pick up at three o'clock, waving at his team on his way out. They had met Emma, and all loved her, considering their colleague and his daughter both friends and family. He was stopped on his way out the door by a quick yell of his name.

"David, wait up!" He turned, smiling broadly as Mulan ran up to him, stopping just before she would have hit him. "You're coming to the cook-out this weekend right? You'll bring Emma?" David nodded, remembering back to the same event the previous year. He had taken Emma and they had had a marvellous time, raising money for their station but more importantly, getting involved in their community.

"Of course, we'll be there. Are you bringing anyone?" He smirked at her blush. She had been dating someone since the beginning of the year and the rest of the team were yet to meet the mystery individual.

"Yes, Rory doesn't work weekends so we'll be coming together." She glared at the blonde but it lacked any anger. Instead, she decided to try and turn the tables. "You have to bring Emma, but is there anyone else we might be meeting… a petite brunette that Will saw you looking cosy with on Saturday…" David frowned, aware of who she was talking about, but unsure how she would know, before his eyes widened, remembering their British colleague, currently a volunteer at the station, who worked in the King's Head in his off hours.

With a quick glance at his watch, he laughed, stepping backwards. "I have to go, Emma is waiting, I'll see you tomorrow!" Without a glance back, he was out of the door, climbing in his car to make the journey to the elementary school.

When he arrived he joined the queue of parents waiting to be allowed in, talking to a couple who introduced themselves as Ella and Thomas. Thomas was looking for a job, and so David suggested he swing by the fire station and fill out an application as he knew there were always openings there. He was interrupted as a bell rang, and some of the older kids from the higher classes came pouring out, chatting excitedly, and running to their parents.

David waited a couple of minutes waiting for the crowds to clear, following the parents of the kindergarteners to where they had to be checked off a list before they could go to the kids. David watched as the TA checked parents one by one opening the door for them to go in. When he gave his name and Emma's, he was met with a smile from the assistant.

"Ah, Emma, she's quite the character!" David frowned, not sure whether that was meant as a compliment or an insult, but the woman had already moved on to the next parent behind him. He made his way back to where he had been only a handful of hours earlier and saw a number of parents with their kids either making their way out or hanging around outside the classroom. A few were still in the classroom and he waited, watching Emma colour at a desk near the front until the rest of the parents and students had left.

It was only then that Emma noticed her father stood there watching her, and she leapt out of her seat and ran to him, giggling as he lifted her up high for a hug.

"Hi daddy!"

"Hey princess. Did you have a good day?" The little girl nodded but didn't elaborate, only hugging David harder. He looked over to Mary Margaret who was watching them with a smile, and made his way over to her, still carrying Emma. "Were you good for Ms Blanchard?" Another nod, again, no elaboration. David raised his brow at Mary Margaret and she tilted her head to the side, gesturing she wanted to speak to him without Emma hearing. He pressed a kiss to the side of Emma's head and placed her down. "Why don't you go and pack up your bag sweetheart while I have a word with your teacher."

The little girl wandered off to her desk and David took a breath, smiling wanly at the brunette in front of him. "So… you're a teacher. My daughter's teacher to be exact. You didn't think to tell me?"

Mary Margaret worried at her lip, glancing at the small blonde who had sat back down to colour, ignoring the instructions to pack her things.

"Ok, I understand how this looks, but I didn't know, not really up until last week. I came here to teach first grade, but there was a mix-up and I got kindergarten. We had a 'meet the parents' event last week but you were working, and then I thought it would be a happy surprise when you found out. Ruby was telling me how worried you were about Emma starting school, and… well I know you don't really know me that well, but Emma likes me, and…" She stopped talking, not exactly sure what point she was supposed to be making. David shook his head briefly, glancing at Emma who had the tip of her tongue stuck out as she coloured a tricky bit.

"How was it? How was she?"

"The first day is always tricky. Some kids have never been away from their parents so it's hard for them. But the first day, even the first week… hell most of Kindergarten is getting to know each other, getting used to the system, and then they add a little learning in there." He nodded his understanding, still watching the brunette as she turned away from him to clean the board, realising a little too late that he was staring as she stretched to reach the top of the board. He turned around to look at the wall art, currently posters of counting to twenty, the alphabet and a large, animated map of the world, only turning back when she cleared her throat.

"And how was Emma?" Mary Margaret chuckled at the blonde before her, it being painfully obvious just how much he had missed the four year old, and was hesitant to tell David the truth.

"She… she was great. She raised her hand, answered questions, spelled her name for the class and made friends with a little girl who was upset. One of the more successful first days I've seen in a long time." She paused at the look on David's face. "I think she was just being so productive to avoid thinking about how much she missed her daddy…" He shook his head happy that she had at least tried to pretend Emma had missed him.

"I guess I should be happy that she took to it so well. If she enjoyed it, she'll be happier coming back tomorrow." He looked down when he felt Emma take his hand and he lifted her again, holding her close. "I guess we'll be seeing you tomorrow Ms Blanchard." With a single nod, he turned, taking Emma's backpack from her hand, leaving the classroom.

Mary Margaret watched them go, before sitting heavily in her chair, burying her face in her hands.

Soooo...?