11

Meetings & Reuniting

Emma and Killian left the throne room a few hours after talking with her parents. Emma was happy. She couldn't wrap her head around it though; she believed her parents have been *'dead' for over sixteen years, but now they are alive and just talked to her. Emma was overjoyed but also extremely nervous. She has a family and loves them with all she has, but also now has her parents.

Snow White and Prince Charming. The story of a sleeping curse, true love's kiss, exile, and defeating a king; belongs to her parents. Her mother was a princess… Her mother is now a queen which makes Emma a... princess. It isn't every day that you wake up one morning and you are no longer an orphan but also a princess.

Emma was struggling to processes everything that she learned. She needed her family. Killian, Henry, Victoria, Liam, Dorothy, Charles, and Claire. And because of that Emma felt terrible. She missed her parents for so long and wanted them to come back but now that they were in the same castle as her she didn't feel she knows them.

In reality, Emma doesn't. The last time she saw them was when she was seven and they were the Swan family. A family that consisted of her father - David Swan and her mother - Mary Margaret Swan. The only thing is that they were really a princess and a shepherd in exile. Emma's adoptive family knows who she is now as an adult, wife, and mother; whereas her parents know her as a seven-year-old-child. It is hard for her to come to the conclusion but she does… Her parents are strangers to her. Emma knew that would be the case when she saw her mother in the ballroom last night, but Emma never thought that they had a whole different identity. Emma needed her family to talk to. It was too hard keeping everything bottled up.

OUAT

Killian and Emma made it to Liam and Victoria's room. It was in the middle of the three rooms that Emma's family were using. The other reason for going to her brother and sister-in-law's room was because she knew Victoria was worried about what happened the night before.

Killian proceeded to knock on the door. A minute later the door was open revealing Liam. Victoria was behind him farther in the room. She looked worried and once she saw Emma, Vicky ran to the door pulling Emma inside.

"Emma! Oh my god! Are you okay?" Victoria asked pulling Emma into a bone-crushing hug; a hug that Emma really needed. Hugging her sister made her forget for a minute; it felt like old times. Soon Emma started crying again, which surprised Emma. She thought for sure she used all her tears in the last twelve hours. Emma pulled out of the hug to look at both Liam and Vicky.

"I… Can we go find Chas and Claire. Once everyone is together I will explain what happened last night." Emma answered. Liam and Vicky looked to Killian who nodded in agreement to Emma.

"Okay… Let's go to their room." Victoria said pulling Emma into her side as they walked down the hall.

OUAT

The four of them made walked to the third room in silence. It was Emma this time who knocked on the door. The door opened a few moments later revealing Charles. He looked at Emma with concern; he also seemed to understand why they were there and motioned for them to enter.

"Ems? Can you tell us what happened last night? You looked like you saw a ghost." Chas started causing Emma to laugh because that was closer to the truth then he currently realized.

"Um… Well, Killian and I were dancing and I heard a laugh… It was a laugh I never thought I would hear again." Emma started and her friends looked to her with concern. "I turned around and saw… I saw my mother." Finally said and she heard both Victoria and Claire gasp.

"How is that possible? Didn't she and your father die?" Claire asked.

"That's why I ran out of there. I thought I imagined it, so I ran… This morning Killian I went to Regina's throne room and she was there… My mother and my father were inside with the room with Regina…" Emma answered.

"So, they are alive," Vicky asked.

"Yes."

"Where were they? Ems, they were in the castle they must be of some importance to Regina and Robin." Charles asked.

"They… Have been in their castle." Emma started and her friends looked at her confused. "As to their relationship to Regina and Robin… It turns out that Regina was my mother's step-mother…" Emma said. She paused taking a deep breath before she admitted. "My parents are Snow White and Prince Charming… According to my mother, I was born while they were in exile… When they left when I was seven they almost died… Regina had just learned that she was being controlled; she found my parents, saving them from getting hurt and apologized… Regina wanted their help to get rid of George but they had to get me first." Emma said pausing. "Someone named Blue helped them. She took them to the cabin I lived in with my friend after their supposed death. It was empty, so they decided to help Regina and they get me after King George was gone… Once that happened, they enchanted a jewel to find me, but it took them to grave… Magic said that I was dead… Apparently they didn't believe it." Emma said. "The grave they found belonged to my friend who died when I was ten. They got rid of the jewel therefore creating the legend of the Hope Diamond."

"So… Your parents are Snow White and David and Snow is the queen in the legend of the Hope Diamond?" Liam asked to clarify, causing Emma to nod.

"That's… That's insane." Claire said.

"No, I know. I don't know how I feel about this whole thing… I mean the whole reason Killian and I went to the beanstalk was to find closure of their death… and I did. After we came back I made peace with their death after fifteen years… And now they are alive. I feel like I should run to them and never let them go but I also see them as strangers." Emma confessed as a few tears slipped down her cheek. "I feel terrible about being nervous because not everyone gets this chance," Emma said.

"You're right Ems. Vicky and I would do anything to see our parents again, but for us, it's not possible. But for you Ems, they are in this castle. I know it seems like you don't know them. Just remember that we were all strangers before we got to know each other." Chas said giving Emma a big brother pep talk.

"Ems, Chas is right. You just need to get to know your parents for who they are now and they will do the same." Vicky agreed with her brother. "What if it was Henry… What would you want if you lost him for almost two decades and he comes to you as an adult? He may even have a wife and child - his own family. What would you do to make him feel comfortable around him?" Vicky asked. Emma couldn't even imagine losing Henry as her parents lost her.

"I would give him all the time he needs to process me being back in his life. But above all, I would hope that he would let me back into his life." Her confession without a drought in her mind was similar to how her parents were currently feeling about her.

"I can tell by the look on your face that you found her answer, lass," Liam said causing Emma to smile.

"I did… I just realized… I have a brother." Emma said causing them to look at her confused but Claire's eyes lit up.

"That boy from last night," Claire said before clarifying. "Last night I saw Snow and David from a distance and got excited. I tried to point them out to Emma but they weren't where I saw them. We started talking about the beanstalk and a boy and girl came us asking about it. They had heard of Killian and Emma's story."

"Yes. I offered to tell them the full story and they agreed. After I finished the girl's mother came looking for the two kids… Oh my… The lady said I looked familiar, her husband is my uncle…" Emma said contemplating how her family just grew in size. "Um… I would you all to meet my parents…" Emma didn't know how to say it but she wanted her friends there when she meets the rest of her family.

"Of course we will meet them. We are all here for you Ems, no matter how crazy this all becomes." Victoria immediately responded making Emma go over to her best friend and give her a hug.

OUAT

Soon Emma and Killian left to get Henry from the nursery. She knew that she was going to see her parents for dinner. Emma wanted both of her families to meet at some point she just didn't know how because at the end of the day, Emma and her family were going back home and her parents were going back to their castle. She loves her parents, she never stopped but she does feel slightly bitter. Emma now knows the reason that she didn't know about the history of the realm, they were protecting themselves from Regina. Emma gets it, Regina looks like the type to be terrifying enraged.

Another thing that Emma is conflicted on is the fact that she is a princess. She doesn't want that! She doesn't want the responsibility associated with being a princess! Even though she is envious of Leo for being able to grow up with her parents, she is glad that he can take all the responsibility of being 'royalty.' Emma is happy with her little cottage that they just finished building. She wants a normal life with her husband and her friends that are her family, but her life is not normal anymore. Emma has her parents back but she also gained a brother, an aunt, an uncle, a cousin, and whatever Regina is (ex-step-grandmother, maybe?).

OUAT

The next thing Emma knew was she was standing in front of the throne room once more. This time she had all her family with her. Henry was settled on her hip as Killian held her hand. She looked over to Vicky and then to Chas who both gave her a short nod. Emma's hand slipped out of Killian so she could knock on the door. Once she did her hand found her way back to Killian's.

The double doors opened, revealing her parents, Regina, Robin, Roland, Roni, the boy and girl from the night before, the woman Jacqueline, and a man who looked like her father. She felt Killian's hand squeeze her hand and felt Charles put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Regina came up to her, looking her straight in her eyes.

"Emma. You don't need to be nervous... This is your family." Emma gave a shy smile. She could try and deny that she was nervous but it would be futile. But she wasn't exactly sure how to start the conversation.

"I understand that, but how do I go about doing this?" Regina didn't respond.

"This is Emma. Along with her extensive family." Regina introduced pulling a smile from everyone.

"I guess I need to make some introductions," Emma said unsurely. She looked to Killian. "Victoria and her brother Charles brought me into their family. Liam is Victoria's husband and Killian's brother. Killian is my husband. Claire is my friend and co-worker. We also have Victoria and Liam's daughter Dorothy, and last but not least, my son Henry." Emma introduced. She could feel her body shaking after she finished speaking.

Her father proceeded to make the introductions for the royals. When David confirmed that Leo was her brother, the teen ran across the room to give her a hug. The action caused everyone to laugh but caused a few tears to fall down Emma's face. Emma knew how it was to be a sister, thanks to Vicky and Chas but they were her older siblings now she the older sibling.

Emma saw her mother approach. Mary Margaret - Snow - went up to Victoria causing Emma's friend to start to curtsy. Snow made a noise causing Vicky to stop.

"You found Emma?" Emma should have known that her parents would want to meet the woman who saved their daughter's life.

"Yes. It was a good thing I was there that day." Vicky started then looked over to Emma before continuing. "She is my best friend and my sister." Emma's best friend said smiling.

"Thank you. Thank you for not only save her life and my grandson's life, but also bringing them into your home and making them a part of your family." Snow said.

"You're welcome, but I helped Emma because it the right thing to do. Making her apart of my family may have been more selfish, I was lonely and wanted to take care of someone." Vicky confessed.

OUAT

After a few hours, everyone settled into a comfortable conversation. The conversation was in some shape or form based on Emma and her life as a child and as an adult. Her parents shared stories from when she was seven, things she didn't remember (apparently she thought she was a princess when she was young!). Victoria and Charles chimed in telling stories about Emma's attempts at cooking. She knows she wasn't a great cook but she got the hang of it. The stories made everyone laugh. It was nice seeing everyone getting along. Henry found his way into Leo's arms during the conversation. Her parents got to know more about her as a woman and Emma's friends learned more about her as a child.

"I have to ask…" Robin started to bring the attention to himself. "Where did you learn your archery skills. Not many people can draw an arrow that quickly without making a sound." He finished. Emma looked to both Killian and then Victoria as a smile spread across her face. The Robin Hood was impressed with her skills.

"I may have forced Killian to teach me," Emma confessed while blushing. Her parents looked her confused causing Emma to explain that she first met Robin after threatening to shoot him and Regina in the woods. Her mother tears up as her father smiles with awe, James - her Uncle - looks impressed and speaks up.

"You must be good if you are getting compliments from Robin Hood and making Snow White tear up," James responds to Emma's explanation which made laugh because it is true. When Killian first said their names she imagined them as stories told to children and now she is sitting among them; related to Snow White herself.

OUAT

As everyone was retiring for the night, Emma was stopped by her mother's voice. It was still weird to hear it after all this time but she is adjusting to it slowly. Emma looked back to her mother and then to Killian. She gave him a genuine smile, gave him a quick kiss and then gave Henry a kiss on his forehead. Soon after that her husband and son were leaving the room making it just her and her parents.

It has been more or less a day since she had seen her mother in the ballroom and this is the first time she has been alone with her parents.

"Um… I am sorry this is awkward… I missed you both for so long and I wanted you both to come back but I never thought it was possible but… but you both are." Emma confessed as tears fell down her cheek.

"We…" David started looking at Snow, to which Emma noticed, she nodded promoting David to continue. "We are so happy you are alive… All we ever wanted was for you to be happy and it seems you succeeded in that… We just wish we could have been there for you when you needed us…"

"There were times that I really wished you both would both appear and make my life easier, but I am truthfully content with my life. Vicky and Charles really are my family, my older siblings… That was a weird thing to get used to but I couldn't see my life without them or any one I met in the years after I thought you died." Her parents look at her with understanding.

"So… now that you are here… We have some things we need to discuss." Snow said taking a seat, David followed his wife's lead but Emma stood there confused. When Emma didn't move to sit or respond Snow continued. "We are royalty, Emma! I am a queen your father a king… that makes you a princess… Personally and selfishly I would love for you to come live in our castle-" Emma knew this was coming. She loved her parents but she wasn't going to leave her family and her home to move into a castle. She doesn't care about the title of Princess, she just wants to live a normal life… or as normal as it can be, now that her parents are no longer dead.

"I am sorry… I can't live in your castle. That may be your life… titles, castles, and wealth but I don't care about any of that. Killian and I just finished building our own cottage. I not going to leave that behind because you are royalty… I mean no one knows you had a child in exile so don't bring it up." Emma said moving around the room nervously. "Leo… He has been raised as a royal… he is your heir… not me." She could see them both starting to protest. "I am no princess… I would say I am sorry about that but I am not, I don't want the responsibility of being a princess. I want a normal life as a wife and mother… being a princess doesn't fit into that." Emma finished.

"If that is what you want, then we cannot deny your request. We want to be in your life, Emma… We missed sixteen years of it… I … We don't want to miss anymore." Her father confessed. She smiled at him. Emma moved from her spot grabbing a chair to sit in front of her father.

"I know… It may not be every day but you will be in my life… you both will because you are my parents, no matter what. I love you both. I am so happy you both are here." Emma confessed looking at both of them.

"We love you too, Emma… We always have and we always will." David said giving her a hug.

OUAT

Emma left shortly after her conversation with her parent and made her way back to her room. The sight when she opens the door made her smile. Henry was sitting on Killian's lap as he told him a bedtime story. Henry smiled up at Killian but the boy's eyes were growing tired.

"I think it is time for bed, my boy," Killian said to the boy causing the child to protest.

"No. Not sleepy." Henry said as he yawned causing both Killian and Emma to laugh. Emma's laugh caught Killian's attention as he looked her with a smile.

"I think your Papa is right, Henry… It is time for bed." Emma said walking over to pick the boy up rocking him slightly which started to relax the boy. By the time she but him in his crib the young boy was almost asleep.

Emma went back over to Killian. She slipped under the covers before Killian asked what was was troubling her. Emma explained that her mother want her to live in the castle as a princess but she didn't want that. Emma also explained that she didn't regret her decision she just want Killian to hold her.

"I love you, Killian." Emma said as she fell asleep.

"As I love you, my Lady Swan." Killian responded but Emma was already succumbing to sleep. Killian smiled and pressed a kiss to his wife's forehead before going to sleep himself.

The queen's ball celebrated more than just the birthday of queen Regina but also reunited Emma with her parents, a part of her that has been missing for a long time. There was much to figure out but everything will work out with time.

For my guest reviewer Alexa: You are right about your comment on the last two chapters, Regina would have set up a meeting before the ball instead of leaving it up to chance... The thing is, is that I honestly didn't even think about having Regina reunite them prior to the ball until you brought it to my attention. I think that their reunion should have been different but it is what is. But thank you so much reading and caring enough to point out your questions. Many of your past comments have giving me things to think about.

I also wanted to thank all my other reviews who make me smile everytime I see a new comment. You guys are the best. I cannot belive that I am almost to 40 reviews on this story. That surpassed the amount of reviews I got on my first story so thank you!

Anyway, I don't own Once Upon a Time.

Sneak Peek for next week:

"Well, because the prophecy of course," Blue said as if it explained everything.