Emma Mills was a happy five-year-old. She had been adopted by her mother, Regina when she was just a few hours old. Regina had a neurological disorder that caused her to have difficulty getting around sometimes, but Emma was pretty good about understanding when mommy needed to rest. It was on those days that they'd sit and watch movies together.

"Mommy, why was the Evil Queen so mean?"

"Well, this book doesn't say."

"Is it cus Snow White was prettier?"

"It appears that way."

"What do you think?"

"Well, I think it's possible that the queen had a difficult life. Maybe she had a parent who wasn't nice to her or loving towards her? She may not know how to love?"

"That would be sad. Not a good reason to take Snow White's heart, though."

"I guess there really isn't a good reason to do that."

"Why does this movie make you sad?"

"I'm not sad."

"Every time we watch it, you look all sad, and your eyes water."

"I just feel bad for Snow White. Plus the queen reminds me of someone I'd rather forget."

"Your mommy?"

"Yeah," Regina had become the one person she never wanted to be like and her own daughter knew that from an animated film.

Emma loved going on walks in the woods with her mother. "Mommy, come on," the little girl yelled back at her mother who was trailing behind.

"Emma, stop for a moment so I can catch up." Regina was having trouble walking and had left her cane at home. Emma didn't stop and Regina fell face-first to the ground.

Emma turned at the noise, "mommy!" The little girl ran over to her mother who was trying to sit up on her knees. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, dear. Why don't you take out my phone and call Graham?"

"Okay," Emma took the phone and dialed the sheriff, "Graham, it's Emma. My mommy fell and she needs help. She said she's not hurt, but she's not standing up." The little girl hung up, "he's coming."

"Emma, you didn't tell him where we are."

"Oops," she dialed the number again and told Graham where to find them before hanging up again.

"I'm sorry, dear, but we'll have to cut our walk short today."

"It's okay, mommy." Emma sat down with her mother.

"I'm not really cut out for this."

"What does that mean?" Emma asked confused.

"I love you so much, but with my body being sick, I should have found you a better mother."

"You the best mother. We have lots of fun."

"But I can't be active with you all the time."

"So?"

Regina smiled at her daughter, "you're an amazing kid."

"I know," Emma shrugged making her mother laugh.

Fifteen minutes after the first phone call, Graham showed up. "Are you okay?" he asked Regina.

"Yeah," she answered, "I just need help getting up."

Graham had to help Regina in the past, so he knew what to do. The sheriff crouched down and put his hands under Regina's arms. Once she was on her feet, he held on in case she wasn't steady. "Do you need me to stay with you?"

"Thank you, but I'm just going to call my caretaker." Regina had someone she would call in the event she needed help with anything. "Could you drive us home?"

"Sure," Graham held onto Regina and Emma took her mother's hand. Once Regina was settled on the couch, Graham left.

"Emma, where did you go?"

"Coming, mommy," Emma yelled. Moments later the little girl walked in and handed her mother her cane, "here you go, mommy."

Regina smiled and leaned forward to kiss her daughter's forehead, "thank you, sweetheart."

"So, Mary Margaret is coming over?" the girl asked with a smile.

"Yes, she coming over."

"Yay!" For some reason, Regina had asked the teacher to be her caretaker on occasion. In a way, she felt terrible for taking her daughter from her. There wasn't anything Regina could do about that, so this was her way of involving her in Emma's life.