How many children
A guest asked for a oneshot of…a read and see story
It was late summer and Snow knew that the days of being able to take Neal and Rosie to the park to burn off some energy would soon be coming to an end for the year. So she was making the most of it, taking them out whenever she could.
That day, one of the other children of the town was also taking advantage of the fading warmth that summer brought. Neal and Rosie were happy clambering over the play equipment with their new found friend whilst Snow and the little boy's mother relaxed on a bench at the edge of the park.
"It's nice when they find someone to play with, isn't it?" The mother commented. Snow nodded and smiled politely. "How many children do you have?" She asked. Snow wasn't really paying attention to the woman. She was busy watching Neal and Rosie, worried they were about to get into a fight over who would get to climb the monkey bars first.
"Two." Snow answered her. What Snow was completely unaware of, was that Emma had decided it was a nice day to take her two youngest to the park as well. She was basically right behind Snow when the question was asked and answered. She couldn't help but feel hurt. Was she not included anymore?
"Come on." She said quietly to Eira and Dewey, steering them round and back towards the car. "We'll go to another park."
Emma hadn't wanted to fight with her mom, especially in front of the children. So by the time that evening came around- on the day of the week that the family agreed to have dinner all together- Emma was still fuming. She had thought about cancelling, but she couldn't do that to the kids. They loved meeting up with everyone else. She would just have to sit through it.
Snow, of course, noticed that something was up with Emma pretty quickly. She was interacting fine with her children, siblings and father, but whenever Snow tried to speak to her she seemed to spontaneously become deaf and change the conversation. Snow was baffled. What had she done now?
"Emma, cut it out." Snow said simply, giving Emma no option but to sort this out. "Why are you ignoring me?" Emma sighed, clutching her cutlery slightly too tightly.
"I don't know, why on Earth would I be ignoring you?" Emma snapped back. "How many kids do you have?" Emma asked her. Snow blinked. What sort of question was that?
"I have three children, as far as I'm aware." Snow answered her. Emma didn't see the funny side.
"Really? Because earlier today when that woman asked you in the park, you told her you had two." Snow furrowed her brow as she thought back. Then her face paled when she realised.
"Emma, I'm so sorry." Snow apologised. "I had no idea that you were there…"
"Oh, so you only deny my existence when I'm not around?" Emma responded sarcastically.
"Emma." Charming warned his eldest. "Let your mother speak." Emma raised an eyebrow, but allowed Snow to go on.
"When that woman asked me how many children I have, your brother and sister were possibly on the verge of beginning World War Three. I wasn't thinking straight and when she asked about children, my mind went to age range. Of course I have three babies. I have two daughters and one son. You matter just as much as Neal and Rosie and don't you ever forget it. I'm truly sorry that you overheard that part of our conversation, and not the bit where I explained how proud I am of my eldest, who is co-sheriff with my husband. Or the bit when I showed her pictures of you three and explained our unique situation." Snow added. Emma felt a bit bad now. Perhaps she should have asked a few questions before going in all guns blazing.
"Yeah, well…" Emma mumbled. "I suppose everyone makes mistakes." Snow nodded, glad the matter was resolved. She knew Emma was too stubborn to apologise for jumping the gun. She wouldn't push it.
