As Snow bustled about the kitchen, only half her mind was on breakfast. The other half was preoccupied with watching Emma, cataloguing her last moments as a little girl. She watched Emma and Elsa, still in their nightclothes, examine Killian's long, black leather coat and red vest and allowed herself to feel wistful. Surreptitiously, Snow reached for her camera and took a few photos. It was a new digital model that Emma had given her, having insisted that only hipsters still used Polaroids and she needed something decent to capture all of baby Neal's firsts. It seemed fitting to use it to capture this moment. Snow would miss the vivacious and adorable child she had come to know. But she knew they were doing the right thing, despite Regina and Blue's arguments to the contrary.
The previous afternoon, after Killian had stormed out, they had left the subdued girls in the apartment with Henry and gathered in the hallway to discuss their predicament. Snow had been surprised that Regina and Blue were in agreement. The two women had argued that Emma and Elsa should stay ignorant. They contended that the likelihood of Emma being able to reverse the spell was too small to justify telling her the truth.
"But Emma would want to know. She would want us to at least try to fix this mess," Snow had protested.
"Maybe she would. But attempting to reverse the spell without sufficient power could have disastrous consequences."
"Like turning her into an old woman, or worse, a teenager," Regina added with a roll of her eyes, earning a scolding look from Blue.
Snow and David shared a long look as they considered the consequences.
"The daughter you knew is gone. It is time to think of the daughter you have," Blue had urged. It was a harsh reality and one Snow only accepted after many tears and more convincing from Blue. In the end, they had agreed that it would be best to keep the spell a secret and to raise Emma with no knowledge of her former life.
Snow hated secrets, both keeping them and having them kept from her. The thought of keeping so much from Emma for the rest of her life felt wrong, but she tried to silence her misgivings. She told herself she was giving Emma her best chance, but the sentiment felt empty. As she sat up, rocking Neal back to sleep after his late night feeding, she continued to spin the arguments over in her head and only stopped when she saw a light in the kitchen. She stood and laid a sleeping Neal down in his crib before crossing with soft steps to the door.
She peered out to see Emma illuminated by a golden pool of light spilling from the fridge. She walked toward her.
"Emma?" She started and spun around. "Are you hungry?"
She shook her head. "No. I…" she bit her lip and cast her eyes downward.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Snow asked as she crossed the room and noticed the tear stains on her cheeks.
"I had a bad dream."
"Oh, Emma." Snow pulled her into a hug and Emma collapsed into her, wrapping her arms around her neck tightly. "Do you want to tell me about it?"
Emma nodded into her neck. Snow stood and carried her to the couch. Sinking down into the cushion, they cuddled together for a moment before Emma tucked into her lap and nestled in her arms.
"What happened in your dream?"
Emma took a deep breath and spoke. "I was all grown up and at a ball dancing with Killian." Snow smiled, amused at the way her crush on Killian carried over even to her subconscious. "And Daddy was there but he was with a blonde princess, not you. But then you were there but you were stealing from Daddy." Emma paused, and Snow held her breath in anticipation. "Then the Evil Queen, Regina, came and took me because I helped you. She put me in prison and…" Snow rubbed her back gently.
"What happened next?"
"You died! The Evil Queen threw a fireball at you and you burned to death." Emma's voice broke and she buried her head back into Snow's shoulder.
"Oh, honey. It's okay. I'm fine. I'm right here." Snow resisted telling Emma it was just a dream, because that would be a lie—the first of many.
Emma tossed her head. "It felt real!"
"I promise I'm safe. You are safe." Snow continued to speak soft reassurances and rub gentle circles into her back until her breathing slowed and she drifted back to sleep.
As Snow sat there, her fingertips slowly going numb from rubbing the rough cotton of Emma's t-shirt, she knew they had made the wrong decision. Emma wasn't gone; she was still there, trapped in her younger body, and she deserved the opportunity to try and put things right.
When Charming found them an hour later, he grinned at the picture of them snuggled together. Snow's face sunk into their daughters golden hair.
He attempted to lift Emma from her sleeping arms but Snow awoke and pulled her back.
"No." She shook her head. "This is my last chance to hold my little girl."
He furrowed his brow and sunk into the cushion beside her.
"What's wrong?" He asked before wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her into his side. She sighed and relaxed into him. Then, in a hushed voice, she unloaded her heart. In the end, despite their fears, they had decided to take the risk, and Snow's heart finally felt at peace.
Now, with the morning light streaming in and the girls giggling, she had no doubt that they had made the right decision. Killian had started some ridiculous eyebrow wiggling competition, the pirate's facial gymnastics sending the girls into constant fits of giggles. Snow snapped a few more photos, smiling at Emma, who scrunched her eyes and attempted to raise one eyebrow.
Killian chuckled "Aye, lass, that's very good. Now try this." He raised both eyebrows in succession and then wiggled them together.
As they continued their game, Snow stored the camera and turned back to the eggs. Killian had impressed her with his impassioned speech that morning. If she had needed convincing, he would have convinced her. But it was his astonishing skill with children that had her grinning. The girls adored him; Neal hadn't cried once since she handed him over and Henry had gone to him for help. The man was full of surprises, and despite his return to his pirate attire Snow knew that Killian Jones was no longer the Captain Hook she had met in the Enchanted Forest.
"Eggs are ready," she called.
The girls happily scrambled onto the stools, Killian following behind. When Snow was finished placing the steaming plates in front of the girls, he offered Neal back to her. She glanced down and was shocked.
"He's asleep?"
"Aye."
"Well, you are a miracle worker!"
Killian blushed and shrugged. "I only held the lad." Snow gave him a knowing smile. It seemed she wasn't the only one surprised by his skill with kids.
"Could you just go and put him in his crib?"
He gave a quick nod and strode to the bedroom.
"Killian isn't mad at me anymore," Emma said through a mouthful of eggs. "He said sorry and I forgave him."
"That's lovely."
"Does that mean we can do magic?" Elsa asked hopefully. After the debacle yesterday, Emma had refused to do magic, much to her parent's delight and Elsa's disappointment.
Killian emerged from the bedroom as Snow responded. "No magic this morning, Elsa. Perhaps later."
He quirked an eyebrow but said nothing. The girls accepted the restriction quietly and continued to eat their eggs. Killian declined her offer of eggs and toast but accepted a cup of coffee. He leaned against the counter and sipped it thoughtfully while they ate and talked. When the girls were finished, Snow sent them upstairs to get dressed. They had just clattered up the stairs when the front door opened, revealing Henry.
Killian pushed away from the counter and met the boy near the stairs. Snow didn't need to hear the words of their low conversation to know what the pirate was telling him. A grin suffused her grandson's face and Snow felt a pang that it had been Killian and not her or David that he had approached.
"Thanks, grandma," he said and she crossed the room to pull him into a hug. "It's what Mom would have wanted."
"I know, and it's the right thing to do. But Henry, it might not work. Emma may not be able to return to normal."
He shook his head. "She can do it. I know it."
Snow smiled and threw her arm around his shoulder. His unshakeable belief was a comfort she hadn't realized she'd needed.
"Mom! I can't find my shirt!" Emma called down.
"Oh, that's because I washed it," Snow exclaimed. She busied herself with retrieving the girls clothes and helping them get dressed. When they descended the stairs a few minutes later, it was to a full living room.
Anna and Kristoff were at the kitchen counter, chatting animatedly with a subdued Hook, while Charming and Henry sat on the couch, their heads bowed over the storybook.
"Anna! Kristoff!" Elsa cried and skipped down the stairs. While she barreled to her family, Emma ran to hers.
"Daddy! Henry!" she jumped onto the couch "Did you see, Killian wore his pirate clothes!" There was momentary chaos as everyone hugged and talked over each other. Then the room quieted and an awkward tension filled it. Anna bounced on her heels and looked between Snow and Charming expectantly.
"So, how do we do this?" she asked.
"Do what?" Elsa asked.
Charming gave Snow a small nod.
"What's going on?" Emma piped up from the couch.
Snow took a deep breath and looked at David, Killian, Henry, Anna, and Kristoff in turn. It seemed they were all more than willing to let her take the lead. "Emma, Elsa. We have something very important to tell you." She reached out, took Elsa's hand, and lead her to the couch next to Emma.
The girls exchanged looks as Snow settled on her knees in front of them.
"Elsa, what did the rock trolls do to your sister when you accidentally hit her with your magic?"
Elsa titled her head. "They took her memories and she forgot all about my magic."
Snow nodded. "That's right. Magic can erase memories. Now, Emma, do you remember your dream last night?"
Emma nodded."About being a princess and dancing with Killian?"
Snow heard Killian's sharp intake of breath but pushed forward.
"Remember how you said it felt real?"
"Yeah," Emma nodded, confusion coloring her eyes. "You said it was a dream."
As if on cue, Henry slid the opened storybook over to the girls. It was open to the picture of Killian and Emma in the ball room.
"That's Killian's lost princess," Elsa said.
Snow nodded. "It is his lost princess. Her name is Emma. His lost princess is you."
"Me?" Emma's eyes grew wide.
"It wasn't a dream. It was a memory. Once upon a time, you grew up and you went to the Enchanted Forest with Killian and danced at a ball. But you don't remember because magic took your memories. Just like the rock trolls took Anna's memories of Elsa's magic."
"Really? That's me?" She looked at Killian.
"Aye. Little love, you were beautiful; a natural," he said with a soft half smile.
"Uh," Elsa broke in as Emma looked down and ran her fingers over the picture with disbelief. "Does that mean that my dreams are memories too?"
Anna stepped forward and dropped to her knee next to Snow. "What have you been dreaming about?"
"Well, me and you are at a ball at the palace and there is some guy; not Kristoff. But you wanted to marry him and then I got upset and used my magic." Elsa's voice got quiet as she finished her story and Snow felt an ache, knowing that the little girl had not felt comfortable telling anyone her dreams.
Anna bobbed her head. "That was a memory. It was your Coronation Ball. And I was so excited about the palace being open and I thought I loved Hans." Anna made a face. "But now I am pretty sure I was just desperate for anyone that wasn't a servant! Not that I ever like kissed a servant. I mean…"
"Anna," Kristoff broke in.
"Wait, Anna?You're that Anna? You're my sister?"
Anna gave a little wave. "Hello."
Elsa laughed and they embraced. "You are bigger than me. You look so old! Wait, did you say coronation?"
Anna nodded enthusiastically "Yeah, you are the queen of Arendelle now."
"The queen!"
"Wow! That's better than a princess!" Emma jumped in and everyone laughed. Snow looked up at David and caught his smile of relief. This was going better than expected.
"Do you girls want your memories back? Do you want to grow up?"
There was a pause. Elsa looked at Anna and Emma looked down at the picture in the book.
"When we grow up, will we still have magic?" Elsa asked.
"Of course."
"And will we still be a family?" Emma wondered.
"Absolutely."
"Am I still friends with Elsa and Henry and Killian?"
"Yes, little love," Killian joined in eagerly.
"Okay," Emma said and turned to Elsa.
Elsa thought for a moment longer before turning to Anna. "Can I still do magic whenever I want?"
"Well, as queen, you make all the rules."
Elsa grinned and nodded her assent. "Okay."
"Okay, well, that is settled, then. We will have to go to the Blue Fairy and ask her how to change you back."
"Actually," Henry piped up with a proud grin. " I talked to her this morning. She said that if Emma has enough power all she has to do is concentrate on wanting to be an adult." He turned to Emma "Just think really hard about what you felt like in your dream and wish to be that princess again. Your magic should snap you back to normal just like a rubber band. You just have to make sure to put all your power into it."
Emma frowned. "All my power?
"Yeah, well this spell takes a lot of power. But I know you can do it." Henry sounded sure and Snow felt her own faith strengthened.
"Can I help Emma? Give her my power?" Elsa offered.
"No, sweetie, that's not how it works," Snow replied.
"Actually," David said, and turned to Anna.
"Oh, right! Kristoff? Do you have the ribbons?" Kristoff nodded and quickly fished into his pockets, producing two yellow ribbons. "We found them in the alley by Granny's. They must have fallen off when Ingrid…well, when she died or became snowflakes or whatever." Anna waved her hands vaguely, reminding everyone that they weren't really sure what had happened with the Snow Queen and wouldn't know until Elsa and Emma were able to tell them.
"Those are the ribbons that sucked their power away," Killian voiced Snow's thought.
"Well, actually, I asked a nun—fairy person? I'm not sure. She wore a lot of green. Anyway, she told me that they weren't meant to take magic, that they are for sharing magic between people."
"So if they wear them, then Elsa could give Emma her power," Kristoff finished helpfully.
Snow looked at the girls. "Is that okay with you?"
They nodded enthusiastically.
"Will I be able to make snow?" Emma asked.
"And can I make people disappear?"
"I don't know, maybe," Anna answered as Kristoff handed the ribbons to her. She tied one around Elsa's wrist while Snow took care of Emma. As soon as the ribbons were tied, they began to glow. The girls gasped but quickly recovered.
Emma giggled. "It's cold!"
Elsa shook her head. "No, it's warm!"
"Well, it seems they work," Killian replied with a raise of his eyebrow. "I suggest we delay no further."
Snow nodded and pulled Emma into a hug while Anna did the same to Elsa. She planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead.
"Remember, Emma, if this doesn't work, nothing will change. We love you. You will always be our daughter. You will always have a place with us." David wrapped them into a quick hug and Snow blinked back her tears. It was all happening so fast. She was getting her Emma back but she was also losing this little girl.
Snow looked up to see Elsa run and hug Killian. He whispered something in her ear and she giggled; his own eyes shone and Snow knew she wasn't alone in her mixed emotions. Emma released her parents and ran to join their embrace.
"I'll miss you, lass," Killian said.
"This isn't goodbye! We aren't going anywhere. We are just growing up," Emma protested.
"Aye, little love. But I will miss you all the same." He booped her nose and smiled.
"Right, well. Let's do this," Anna spoke, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
The girls separated from Killian and moved to stand in the center of the room.
"Everyone stand back," Elsa warned seriously. They obeyed, giving them a wide berth. Elsa nodded and reached out her hand to Emma with a smile.
"Now just concentrate on how you felt in the dream. How tall you were, what things looked like, how you felt. Remember, magic is emotion," Henry urged.
Emma nodded seriously and furrowed her brow. Their ribbons began to glow and Emma's eyes went wide. "It's so cold!" she murmured, and the yellow glow took on a blue edge.
Emma grinned and then closed her eyes in concentration. The light increased in intensity, slowly and steadily. Snow shielded her eyes and then there was a flash of blue and yellow. Snow tried to blink away the spots in her eyes.
"No. No. No." She heard Killian cry just as her eyes cleared to reveal the empty spot where Emma and Elsa had been standing.
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Author's Note: A big shout out to Vena Grey for the beta on this one! Hopefully you enjoyed the fluff in this one! Again hoping to finished before 1 March! Reviews are scientifically proven to make me update faster!