Thank you so much for the reviews, I am getting lots of ideas from them, and will get round to writing them. Here is the 3rd part of the Father's Day "one shot" :)
It's a little bit longer than the other chapters.
Grannys was fairly quiet considering it was a Sunday. They grabbed a booth in the corner, David was glad about this. He was hoping to talk to Emma about a few things he had been bothered about recently, and if Emma was in a talking mood then he was going to take advantage of it.
They both order the burger, everyone in Storybook agreed it was the best thing on the menu, plus taking advantage of Snow being absent, being able to eat it without the lecture about heathy eating.
They ate in a comfortable silence, until both their plates were clean.
"So the part what you said about being able to ask anything, does that still stand?" David gave Emma the smile that got him his Nickname.
Emma was a little hesitant "Sure, why what did you want to know?"
David laughed "Relax Emma, you look like I am about to torture you. It's only a few things that have been on my mind, you don't have to answer them."
"Ok go ahead." She had said he could do this, of course he was going to take her up on the offer. Both her parents had been dying to ask her bits and pieces, to which she closed off each and every time.
"Thanks, for starters I was wondering about today? Have you ever been close enough to a family that you felt ok to celebrate Mother or Father's Day." What he was really asking was did she feel like she had a family, even if it was only for a short time.
"Not really, there was this one time, I think I was about 5 or 6, my teacher made me make a Father's Day card. The family were nice, they had wanted to adopt, but they were asked to take in me as a foster kid whilst the paperwork was going though. So I thought I might as well, as a thank you more than anything... Anyway, when I handed it to him, he told me it was nice of me but he didn't think it was right as he wasn't my dad.. Soon after that I was moved again." Emma was embarrassed to him that but she wasn't sure why.
David reached over and to hold her hand. She froze at the initial contact. "Oh Emma." He was angry, but he kept his voice soft, how could someone reject his little girl like that, at such an innocent age, he bet that she never tried again. It kind of explains her reaction this morning.
"You shouldn't have had to go through that."
"It's ok, it's in the past." She shrugged him off, paying more attention to her drink.
"What was your happiest memory though?" He hoped there had at least been one good memory for her.
She smiled at that. "There was this one time, the kids in the class I was in, organised a party in the school playground for me for my birthday. Even my teacher at the time joined in. I never really had any close friends back then, surprisingly more of a loner, but that showed me that there were nice people around. That was my 10th birthday. The family I stayed with had forgotten though, but by that point I really got use to not to expect anything. But that was a good birthday."
"I'm glad you at least you had some good times."
"Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad all the time. There were just some really not great time, mixed with everyday... Nothingness really, I suppose that is the best way to describe it." Emma wasn't sure if he got want she meant by that, but it was the best way she could think to explain it.
David just nodded. He was sad that was how she had grown up.
"What about you, what's you favourite memory, from the Enchanted Forest?" Emma wanted to move the conversation away from herself.
"Mine?" He ponded for a moment "I have a few most of them involving Snow, but my favourite moment has to be when she told me that she was pregnant with you, she had been quite all that morning, and you know your mother, that was a rare accuracy. It was about mid morning when she ran into my office dragging me out. She practically dragged me all thought the castle, only stopping when she got to this one room. It was beautiful, large, with doors that opened up into a small patio. We haven't been in the castle long so we were still discovering some of it. She turned to me and asked if I thought this would make a good nursery. To which I told her sure, it was perfect. It took me a while to catch on what she was trying to tell me. When she did say the actual two words. I was so happy, I picked her up a swung her around. That feeling, for both of us, won over the feelings of our happiest memories that had happened so far. Though the moment you were born is probably comes close 2nd."
Emma was surprised by this, "I thought that would have been one if the worst memories?"
"What happened after you were born was, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to todo, that feeling will never leave. Placing you in the wardrobe, I wouldn't want my worst enemy to go through that. But the 5 minutes that we got to be a family, definitely the best by far. My worst had to be the day I thought I lost your mother, for good." It was David's turn to start playing with the drink that sat on the table in front of him.
"Did you know when you kissed her, she would wake up?" Emma was intrigued with the real version, compared to the story she grew up with.
"Not at all. She looked so peaceful and beautiful lying there. I couldn't believe that, that was it for us. What was worse I knew she had done that for me. I had to say goodbye to her." It was hard for him to talk about the time, but for Emma to open up, he knew had to as well.
"I don't think I want to ask about your worse memory." There was a part of him that felt like he should know. She was his daughter, he should know the worst part of it. But he didn't want Emma to be upset plus not being able to do anything to change it, that would be hard for him to take.
"I don't think.." Emma started, it seemed only fair that she share with him too.
David reached for her hand again. "Emma it's fine, if you ever want to talk about it your mother and I are here. When you are ready though. Ok"
Emma was thankful for that, she would tell them eventually she just wasn't ready yet. "I want to tell you, I do but.."
"It's fine, trust me." He reassured her.
That was the thing with David, when he asked her to trust him, she did instantly.
"So what next on the list?" It was time to lighten the atmosphere, and Emma had enjoyed the sword fighting, she looks forward to the next part.
"Well if you are up for it, how do you feel about horses?" He asked her slyly. Her reaction when when she found out about Henry's horse had been quite funny. So he knew what she was thinking now.
"That is really what you want to do next?" She couldn't disappoint him, his face was just too adorable. It reminded her of Henry.
"If you are sure, I guess it might be fun." She didn't sound like he was suggesting horse riding, more like it was a trip to the dentist.
They made their was to leave Granny's, just as they got to the door a family came in. It took David a little while to realise who the guy and woman were, who were struggling to get the stroller through the diner door.
The man looked up huffing and looking irritated, until he saw David standing there and a look of recognition appeared on his face. "James? Is that you?" With that the blond woman he was with, wiped her head around. "James!"
"Ella, Thomas. It's great to see you." He moved forward to greet his old friends.
David sent warning eyes to Emma, trying to convey not to say anything about the name. With everything that went on at the time. He hadn't had a chance to explain things to Thomas.
"How are you and Snow? We kept meaning to come and find you. It's just been a little hectic that last few weeks. This one hasn't made it easier either." Ella smiled fondly at the little baby in the stroller.
David almost hadn't noticed the baby, he found it a little difficult to look at her, but he did because it would have been odd for him not to. "Wow is this.." He trailed off.
"Alexandra, yes even in the curse state, Thomas still got his way."
David spoke, though he hadn't a clue what he had said, he just hoped it was something appropriate. Now David had looked, his eyes wouldn't leave the baby's. Emma was meant to be the same age. This is what he missed out on.
At the moment the baby started to fuss a little, Thomas picked his daughter up with easy, the love for her shining from his eyes. David glanced quickly at Emma.
"It is thanks to the sheriff here, that Alexandra is with us." Thomas acknowledging Emma, he would alway be grateful for her for what she did for his wife and daughter.
Emma had been trying to hide, which obviously failed miserable. When Thomas had made that statement, David looked at Emma for answers, raising his eyebrow.
Emma shook her head "I'll explain later." David would make sure that he would get answers about it.
"Where is Snow we would love to see her?" Ella was a little confused as to why James was here with the sheriff at the weekend. "There is some much to catch up on. How is your little one by the way." Snow's due date was only a few weeks before her own.
"My what?" David had been watching Thomas interact with the baby in his arms more than listening to what Ella had been saying. His heart yearning. How he wished that he could of had a a few more weeks with Emma. Watching Thomas with the baby was almost painful to him.
"Your baby, did Snow have the baby before the curse hit or after? It would be great to have a playmate for our Alexandra here." Ella was now extremely confused. Why was James acting oddly.
Emma laughed out loud, she hadn't meant to. But Ella's comment about her being a playmate for the baby that still couldn't walk. Was fairly funny idea.
David snapped out of his daze when he heard Emma laugh. She bumped into the side of him to wake him up. At least we have her now. If he kept saying that then maybe the pain will be kept at bay. For a little while at least.
Though Ella gave Emma look, which conveyed she was not impressed. What the hell, Emma thought, what had she done to upset the other Princess?
"Our baby? You hadn't heard?" David was unsure how to answer Ella question. "It got a little bit complicated actually."
"That's an understatement." Emma muttered at David's side. This earn another look from Ella.
"Ok well, I would like to introduce you to Emma." David started to explain.
"Yes we have met a few times." What did the Sheriff have to do with this, and did Snow know that James was here with her.
"Emma is a little bit more than the Sheriff. Thomas, Ella, I would like you to meet mine and Snow's daughter." David pushed Emma forward, proud to be introducing her as his daughter.
"Err hi, I'm glad it worked out for you guys, but I made be a little old to be Alexandra's playmate."
"How is that possible?" Thomas almost forgot that he was holding the baby in his arm, having nearly dropped her from the shock at James' statement. There was no way that, the clearly grown up woman standing by James' side was his daughter.
"As I said it most definitely is a long story. We should arrange a night, with Snow too, she would love to see you." Now that the bomb had dropped, he was quite enjoying the look on his friend's faces.
Just as David mentioned Snow, she walked into the diner with Henry following close behind. After shouts of delight, and a lot of hugging from both parties. They decide as they were all there to grab a coffee. David didn't want to stay long but it was at least he could do for his friends.
Thomas sat near Henry, "So kid, who are you. James' uncle?"
The Charming family laughed at this. Yes this was about as crazy their family had become. "No, Henry Emma's son." Snow supplied for the other family.
"What! Doesn't that make you two.."
Thomas was clutching his side. The thought, they the James was a grandfather was just too funny to comprehend.
"Yes, Henry is out grandson." Snow was proud of that fact, why should they be embarrassed by the craziness of their family.
Thomas ruffled Henry hair "Kid, you have one amazing set of grandparents."
"I know." That was a given for Henry, look at who they are, he thought.
Snow and David, with the help of Henry tried to explain what had happened. Emma was quite happy to sit there and listen to the story, being told first hand. It made a difference.
Thought it was not an easy story for them to tell. They took turns, when one was unable to finish the sentence or part of the story the other one took over. It was quite amazing for her to watch. Seeing them work together. She could understand now why everyone respected and admired them so much, Emma guessed, that together her parents were a force not to be reckoned with.
"It has been great seeing you guys. But Emma and I have plans for this afternoon. We should get going before its too late." David didn't want to miss out on the time he had with Emma today. He may not be able to sit there with his friends bouncing a baby Emma on his knee, but she is here and he plans on using that.
"What do you guys have planned this afternoon?" Snow asked David before he could get up off the table. He had hoped they could get away in time.
"I thought I would show Emma a bit of horse riding." He said with dread, he knew his wife and he knew where this conversation would lead.
"What? I really don't think that is a good idea Charming. Why don't you pick something where the possibility of her her getting hurt is lessened. Nice stroll in the woods maybe, on two feet." Snow did not like the sound of horse riding one bit.
"Mom I think it will be fine, I am looking forward to it. Plus Das won't let me get hurt. Wouldn't want to face you if I did." Emma had used the exact right words to calm Snow down. Of course Charming wouldn't let her get hurt, he was just as protective as she was.
"Fine, but if she has so much as one bruise on her you will be in trouble."
She was point to Charming the entire time, he didn't doubt for a moment she wasn't serious.
He learned over to where his wife sat. "Of course I wouldn't let her get hurt." He kissed her cheek "don't worry about it, with us as her parents, how could she not be good at riding."
"You may want to hold that thought until you have seen me on a horse." Chirped Emma behind him.
They said their goodbyes to everyone on at the table, with promising to meet up as soon as possible. The Father and Daughter left the diner.
"She is amazing Snow. So much like you guys." The look on her friends face told Ella, that Snow thought exactly the same.
"We are very lucky to have had her find us after all this time, and the fact that she is willing to give this family thing a go."
"She is your daughter Snow. She loves you. It may just take her time." Ella was trying to reassure her friend. She looked over at Alexandra, not even being able to think of the possibility of not being able to raise her, missing all that time with her. She considered herself very lucky, one look from Thomas told her that he was thinking the same thing.